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Mitchell’s WWE Extreme Rules Results & Report! (7/19/20)

Welcome to the horror show!

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WWE Extreme Rules 2020

The WWE once again gets EXTREME!

Are you ready for someone’s eye to be taken from them? Are you ready for the Monster Among Men returning home? Are you ready to see just what Dolph Ziggler has planned for Drew McIntyre? ARE YOU READY FOR THE HORROR SHOW?!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Kickoff Show – Kevin Owens VS Buddy Murphy; Kevin wins.
  • SmackDown Tag Team Championships Tables Match: The New Day VS Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura; Cesaro & Nakamura win and become the new SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
  • SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bayley w/ Sasha Banks VS Nikki Cross w/ Alexa Bliss; Bayley wins and retains the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
  • WWE United States Championship: Apollo Crews VS MVP w/ Bobby Lashley; cancelled.
  • Eye for an Eye Match: Rey Mysterio VS Seth Rollins; Rollins wins.
  • Raw Women’s Championship: Asuka VS Sasha Banks; Unresolved.
  • WWE World Championship, Ziggler’s Choice: Drew McIntyre VS Dolph Ziggler; McIntyre wins and retains the WWE World Championship.
  • Wyatt Swamp Fight: Braun Strowman VS Bray Wyatt; Wyatt wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the WWE Extreme Rules Kickoff Show!

Join Scott Stanford and Peter Rosenberg in reviewing, discussing and predicting all the action for tonight’s extra extreme event!

 

Renee Young, Booker T and JBL join the show!

Three hall of fame rings and none belong to her, but she’s just as excited as anyone to see the Wyatt Swamp Fight. Booker has no idea what to expect but he’s been anticipating this since the announcement. Looking at Braun Strowman, the Monster Among Men, has two sides. The monster destroyed John Morrison, but the man was trying to convince himself more than anyone that he can do this. Being locked up this long, knowing he’s about to get out and go home, it can be scary.

JBL says he’s with Booker. Braun is going home to cut the cord and get Bray off him once and for all. Booker is right about Braun. Braun can hang with the strongest men in the world, and this match is a must-win! Booker needs that next level moment, and this could be that moment. Braun wants to be his own man, but the method behind the madness in this Swamp Fight is crazy! Renee is worried there will be gators showing up! So who wins? Booker leaves it to JBL but JBL isn’t sure, either. Braun is going to either be a free man or someone with an asterisk. JBL is choosing Bray. Booker says Braun doesn’t want the Fiend, but he still says Bray wins this. Who survives the swamp?

 

Backstage interview with The New Day.

Big E and Kofi Kingston lost last Friday Night SmackDown and now must face Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura in a Tables Tag match! How are they feeling about their chances? Kofi says they are no strangers to tables, but to turly understand a table, you must become one with tables. Big E has been eating off tables. Kofi has slept on tables. And they need to be inside the wood of the table so that the wood can be in you! To truly get inside the mind of tables, they have “The Yoda of Tables,” and was in a movie with RONDA ROUSEY, and it was called TABLES! The brain of the Dudleys, BROTHER D-VON!! “Oh, my brother! Testify!”

This man has been involved in the destruction of at least 10 MILLION tables in his career! The Dudley Boys put everybody through tables! And the New Day, too. Hey, don’t bring up old stuff. But oh great, mighty D-Von, access that girthy brain and let ya bois know the secret to table success. D-Von says it is quite simple. You put your opponents through those tables. Oh…! Well the prophet has spoken! The word is gospel! The New Day shall put those wicked fools through tables tonight! And why? BECAUSE~! New! Day Rocks! D-Von swivels with Kofi and Big E, but is a tables match win truly easier said than done?

 

Backsatge interview with MVP and Bobby Lashley.

The new United States Championship belt is so, so pretty. But MVP knows what Charly is going to ask: How much money did it cost to make this? Well, no, but- MVP won’t tell anyway. Fair enough. The real question is about the title match against the REAL champion, Apollo Crews. Real? Apollo? A real champ comes to work. But Apollo was in some kind of witness relocation program since taking on the Hurt Business. He’s no champ. MVP clams Bobby down and explains to us that Apollo is “verified.” But the more important thing is that tonight, even if Apollo is 100%, he still has to take on “the greatest United States Champion of all time!” And MVP spent a mint on this belt just for him. Some things money can’t buy, and one is wisdom. MVP has the wisdom to know he’ll retain this title.

Apollo’s youth put him in a bad position. MVP was just trying to help. A smart man learns from his mistakes, but a wise man learns from others. So everyone better wise up. After MVP is done with Apollo, and they head off to the after party, Apollo will be pondering his lack of wisdom. To put it this way, it is neither smart nor wise to disrespect MVP or Lashley. Who will truly be THE WWE United States Champion after tonight?

 

Renee, JBL and Booker talk Eye for an Eye.

A truly sadistic match in which you must pluck your opponent’s eye out to win!! Rey Mysterio chose this stipulation, is JBL surprised? No, he’s not. Bringing in a son into this made it very personal. JBL remembers losing to Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 25 and that made JBL quit. But there’s a reason Rey is the ultimate underdog. Rey has everything to fight for and is going to go after Seth Rollins like nothing before. JBL once saw a man pop another man’s eye out, and that was awful. This time, it’ll be legal! JBL wants to see this, though he hopes he can stomach it. Does emotion have an effect? Will there be a plan? Booker often did whatever he had to in order to win. To go on what JBL said, how Dominik was brought into this, not really. Dominik got in this himself. Rey can fight his own battles, but Dominik wanted to fight for his father. Dominik may serve more of a distraction than anything.

So then, who loses an eye? Booker wants to say something first. Rollins has been getting daggers thrown at him and has not waivered, so Rollins wins and takes Rey’s other eye. JBL says Rey wins because while JBL isn’t a father, he knows Booker and other fathers would do whatever they could to help their son. Booker says his son would be home studying. Now that’s a good dad.

 

Kevin Owens VS Buddy Murphy!

The Prizefighter has fought against the Monday Night Messiah’s forces in the past and that continues tonight! Will Kevin keep the disciple from being in any shape to help Seth Rollins against Rey Mysterio tonight?

The bell rings and Murphy rushes Kevin! Kevin dodges the knee but Murphy denies the stunner, and it’s a brawl! Kevin fights Murphy to a corner, lets off but comes back, only for Murphy to BOOT him! Murphy walks up but Kevin punches and CHOPS him back! Kevin whips, Murphy reverses, fires off strikes but misses the knee. Kevin tries again but still no stunner, KNEE TRIGGER! Cover, TWO! Kevin grabs at Murphy but Murphy pushes him away. Murphy takes off his shirt and clubs Kevin down. Murphy drags Kevin up, shoves and forearms Kevin HARD in the back! Murphy pushes Kevin again to SMASH him with another forearm.

Kevin CHOPS back, throws body shots and more CHOPS, then runs, into a sleeper hold! Murphy squeezes tight and Kevin falls to a knee. The crowd rallies up as Kevin fights and powers Murphy to a corner. Kevin rams Murphy into buckles but Murphy holds on tight. Kevin keeps trying, and gets free on the third try. But Murphy BOOTS him back! Murphy hops up, leaps, but into a kick! And DDT! Both men are down and the crowd fires up! A standing count starts as Kevin and Murphy stir. Kevin rises first but Murphy follows. They both stand at 5, Murphy runs over but Kevin dodges to atomic drop and LARIAT! Kevin drops a senton, onto knees! Kevin drags himself to a corner, Murphy runs in but misses the splash!

Kevin back suplexes to throw Murphy into buckles! CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Murphy still lives but Kevin keeps his cool while catching his breath. The crowd rallies up as Kevin watches Murphy flounder. Kevin drags Murphy up, CHOPS him in the corner, then CHOPS him in another corner. Kevin hoists Murphy up top, CHOPS him again, then climbs up to join him. Murphy resists the superplex as the crowd rallies. Murphy hits back with body shots and clubbing forearms. Kevin wobbles and Murphy DECKS him! Murphy leaps, METEORA! Murphy has to crawl to the cover, TWO!! Kevin still lives and Murphy can’t believe it. The crowd rallies for “K O! K O!” but Murphy stands first. Murphy drags Kevin up, Kevin ROCKS him with a right!

Both men wobble, Kevin blocks a kick to give a kick, then whips for the pop-up! Mruphy slips out, blocks a kick but Kevin elbows him back. Murphy ripcords to KNEE-TRIGGER! AUSSIE-GOYE! DEAD LIFT BRAIN BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!?! Murphy is beside himself as Kevin still lives! Kevin crawls to a corner and the crowd continues to rally up. Murphy glares at Kevin as he stalks over. Murphy stomps, CHOPS, but Kevin fights back! Murphy stomps a mudhole into Kevin then hoists him up top. Now Murphy climbs up to join Kevin, but now Kevin resists the superplex. Kevin and Murphy brawl up top, Kevin HEADBUTTS Murphy down!

Kevin drags Murphy up but Murphy GAMANGIRIS! Murphy goes up, Kevin still resists! Kevin turns things around into a SUPER GOURD BUSTER! And then Kevin BEST MOONSAULT EVERS! Cover, TWO!?! Murphy survives and Kevin can’t believe it! Kevin flounders up to his feet and fires up as he goes to Murphy. Murphy is on the apron and he hotshots Kevin away! Murphy goes up top quick, leaps, but no Meteora this time! Kevin SUPERKICKS, then STUNNERS! Cover, Kevin wins!

Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall

A fast and furious opener gives the Prizefighter a big win! Will things now be fair and square in the grudge match between Mysterio and Rollins?

 

Renee, JBL and Booker discuss the Women’s Championship matches.

Two big parts of the Women’s (R)Evolution, Bayley and Sasha Banks have been on a huge run. Will Sasha become #TwoBeltsBanks? Booker says the Golden Role Models are a lethal combination, but Asuka becoming champion, that title gives you that invincibility. Getting some wins under your belt gives you momentum, and that’s where Asuka. It will be a battle of wills for Asuka and Sasha. Do Kairi and Bayley get involved at all? JBL hopes not at all. Before Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch got going, it was Sasha and Asuka. Bayley and Sasha is like HHH and HBK! Two great champions who are great friends. Sasha has the momentum, but as Booker said, winning begats winning. Asuka is going to walk out of this as Raw Women’s Champion. Booker concurs. Will The Boss be ready for the Empress of Tomorrow?

Speaking of Raw, The Viper and the Giant have an UNSANCTIONED Match! What does this do to the legacy of BIg Show if he loses? JBL says it doesn’t really hurt. Randy Orton is the Legend Killer for a reason. Big Show is on the Andre the Giant level, perhaps even higher. But Orton has not been any better than he is right now. Show doesn’t have anything to prove and Orton wants to knock off another legend, Orton wins. Booker agrees with the Andre parallel and other legends. “Time waits for no one,” and that is where we are with Show. Show has given a lot, but has had his health issues for being so big for so long. Show has been in wrestling for a long time while Orton is always looking to put another notch on his belt. Friend or foe, this is just how Orton is! Orton could easily end Show’s wrestling career if he’s not careful.

JBL adds that if Orton wins more titles, he could be THE greatest of all time. He is finally on the Mount Rushmore! Renee agrees with that. But keep in mind, Ric Flair is in Orton’s corner for this match. The best of the best of the best and Show is trying to step to that. Guess we’ll find out tomorrow night!

 

Do you want to go somewhere really scary?

Come and see a place like no other. Things here will make you tremble with fear and keep you up at night. Things that people do and the ways that they do them. Look with your morbid curiosity. Like a car crash. You want to turn away but you can’t. Be warned. Once you get a glimpse, there’s no going back. To go forward, two men will go back home. To get past this grudge, two men go eye for an eye. To determine the truly great, two champions face intense challengers. To settle a score, two men will go to the extreme. But don’t worry. It’ll all be over soon. It’s okay to scream. Just let it out. This is the horror show at Extreme Rules!

 

SmackDown Tag Team Championships Tables Match: The New Day VS Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura!

AWWWW~ people at hooome~! Don’t you dare be sour! Watch Big E & Kofi Kingston defend these titles, and feel~ the power~! Brother D-Von shared his wisdom in regards to tables, but will it be enough to stop the roll the Swiss Cyborg and King of Strong Style have been on?

The introductions are made, the titles are raised, and this table breaking summer blockbuster begins!

It’s a brawl right away as Cesaro goes after Kofi and Nakamura goes after Big E! They end up in opposite corners and Cesaro ROCKS Kofi with European Uppercut after uppercut! Nakamura gives Big E Bad Vibrations, then the Artist Collective trades and Nakamura BOOTS Kofi while Cesaro uppercuts Big E! They go back the other way but Big E dumps Nakamura out! Cesaro ROCKS Big E with a EuroUpper and a JAB! Kofi DOUBLE STOMPS Cesaro down! Big E rams into Cesaro, then Positivity in Motion! Belly2belly! The New Day stands tall and the crowd fires up! Big E and Kofi go out, grab a table and put it in the ring. But Cesaro comes over to stop Kofi and Nakamura hits Big E. Cesaro sends Kofi into barriers while Big E brawls with Nakamura.

The New Day turns things around, Nakamura goes into Plexiglas. Big E whips Kofi at Nakamura for a BIG dropkick! “How’d that feel?” They follow up to whip and basement dropkick Cesaro into steel steps! The crowd is fired up as Kofi bounces Cesaro off Plexiglas. The New Day gathers more tables and brings Cesaro over. Kofi clubs away on Cesaro while Big E finishes setting things up. The New Day brings Cesaro to the apron and Big E electric chair lifts! But Nakamura throws Kofi down and basement dropkicks him! Cesaro slips down to throw Big E into barriers! Cesaro throws steel steps at Big E! Nakamura sets up a table and Cesaro helps him bring Kofi up. Cesaro throws EuroUppers and Nakamura stomps Kofi in the corner. They hoist Kofi up top but Kofi fights back.

Cesaro and Nakamura throw forearms then position the table closer. The Artists climb up but Big E returns to dump Cesaro down! Big E has Nakamura in position, Kofi stands, but Nakamura fights out! Cesaro hits Kofi and trophy lifts him! Nakamura knocks tables down in the ring before Big E can do anything, and Kofi escapes Cesaro to enziguri! Big E runs and SPEARS Cesaro off the apron! Both men hit the floor but no tables break so this match continues! The crowd is thunderous while the refs check on both men. Kofi turns his attention to Nakamura and boots him down! Big E manages to stand and Kofi regroups with him. They focus on Cesaro, drag him up and bring a table around.

Kofi throws uppercuts of his own, then haymakers to put Cesaro on the table. Big E adds clubbing forearms, and the New Day go to the ring. Kofi builds speed and Big E gives him a boost, but Nakamura saves Cesaro to throw the table at Kofi!! The table doesn’t break but Kofi might have! Nakamura kicks Big E down while Cesaro adjusts the table. The Artists drag Kofi up, they double suplex, but Big E reels Kofi into the ring! Big E gets clubbed 2v1 and then a boot-knee combo! Big E is just limp on the ropes and the Artists toy with him. Cesaro and Nakamura drag Big E up now and plan the same double suplex. Big E fights back with body shots, runs, but gets DOUBLE KNEES! Cesaro and Nakamura drag Big E up again and continue as planned. But Big E suplexes Cesaro in first!

Nakamura hits a SLIDING KNEE! Nakamura hurries to get another table involved. The crowd claps and rallies as Nakamura sets this table up. Kofi is up top and LEAPS to TRUST FALL Nakamura down!! Big E OVERHEAD suplexes Cesaro! The stomping stampede goes down all over the place! Kofi KICKS Nakamura while he’s down then Big E comes out to coordinate. They add another table! Kofi says they asked for this! It’s a table stack! Big E drags Cesaro up to the top rope and the crowd is going wild for what is coming. But Nakamura anchors Cesaro! Kofi goes after Nakamura, they brawl but so do Big E and Cesaro! Kofi runs at Nakamura but gets dumped out! Cesaro ROCKS Big E, bumps him off the post and dumps him into the ring!

But Big E still scoops Cesaro! Nakamura saves Cesaro, Cesaro trips Big E, Swiss Swing into SLIDING KNEE! Kofi returns to springboard and ax handle! Kofi rallies, and forearms Nakamura off the apron! Nakamura bumps the table but pushes it away. Kofi PESCADO! Kofi leaps off the steps and forearms Cesaro! Kofi fires off on Cesaro in the corner and then hoists him up top! The crowd is thunderous for this furious Kofi as he climbs up with Cesaro. SUPER ST- NO! Cesaro blocks the Steiner, Nakamura ROUNDHOUSES him! Cesaro dead lifts, to SUPER POWERBOMB KOFI THROUGH THE TABLE TOWER!!! Cesaro and Nakamura win!!

Winners: Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro (NEW SmackDown Tag Team Champions)

A masterpiece of destruction! The New Day literally falls, and now new champions rise! And Cesaro makes Michael Cole take a good, hard look. “Actions speak louder than words!” Will Cesaro and Nakamura continue on this incredible roll?

 

Bliss-Cross and the Kabuki Warriors talk backstage.

Alexa wants them to repeat after her. “Believe and you can achieve.” Believe and achieve! Asuka will beat Sasha, Nikki will beat Bayley. “I have faith in myself. Tonight is my night!” Thanks, girls! Nikki is feeling great now! She is ready! Asuka, Kairi and Alexa believe in Nikki, and Nikki is feeling invincible. But even if you lose, they’ll still be your friend! Thanks, Kairi… But yeah! Nikki heads out for her title opportunity!

SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bayley w/ Sasha Banks VS Nikki Cross w/ Alexa Bliss!

The Loony Lass finally gets a shot at a singles title on the main roster! But will she be able to withstand the pressure? Or will #BayleyDosStraps break her?

The introductions are made, the SmackDown Women’s title is raised, and this crisis of confidence showdown begins!

The crowd rallies for Nikki as she circles with Bayley. They tie up and Bayley powers Nikki to a corner while even laughing. Bayley pushes Nikki as she lets up and then taunts Nikki as “too easy.” Bayley mocks the cheering, they go again, and Nikki waistlocks only for Bayley to throw her off. Bayley double guns and Nikki has to cool off. Bayley mocks Nikki, “Do it for Alexa!” The crowd still rallies for Nikki as she ties up with Bayley again. Nikki puts Bayley in the corner and SLAPS her! Sasha and Bayley are both furious but Nikki attacks! Bayley denies the bulldog but the PURGE hits!! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives and bails out, but Nikki wrecks her with a dropkick! Nikki hits a TORNADO DDT! Nikki puts Bayley in, Bayley flounders as Nikki climbs, crossbody! Cover, TWO!

Nikki keeps going, climbs back up and leaps again! Crossbody number two, cover, TWO! Nikki won’t give up, she goes up again! Bayley bails out again, but Nikki leaps from the apron for the hat trick! The crowd is thunderous as Nikki takes Bayley down! Nikki brings Bayley up but Bayley RAMS her into barriers! Then the Plexiglas! The ring count passes 5, Bayley shoves Nikki into the barriers then into the ring. Cover, TWO! Bayley grows frustrated with Nikki and throws haymakers in the corner. “You think you’re all confident?” Bayley and Sasha mock Nikki while Bayley chants Nikki on the ropes. Bayley kicks Nikki while she’s down, drops elbows and covers, TWO! Bayley drags Nikki up, then chokes her in front of Alexa! The ref counts, Bayley stops and Nikki hits back.

Bayley bumps Nikki off buckles, rams her shoulder in over and over, but lets up at the ref’s count. Bayley snapmares Nikki to a cover, ONE! Bayley wraps Nikki in a chinlock, the crowd rallies up and Alexa coaches Nikki. Nikki fights and flails, gets up and arm-drags Bayley off! Bayley comes back to clobber Nikki then club away at the ropes. Bayley drags Nikki into the apron skirt! She’s using Nikki’s tricks as she clubs away! Alexa protests, the ref reprimands, but Bayley brags about her haircut. Wait where is Nikki? She found Sasha on the other side of the ring! Nikki baits Bayley into the trap! Nikki shows Bayley how to do it as she fires off furious forearms! Nikki puts Bayley in the ring and takes Bayley’s hotshot!

Bayley staggers to a corner, Nikki copies the wacky waving arms for the back elbow! Bayley goes old school, too, but Nikki fights the Bayley2Belly off! Nikki takes Sasha’s Bank Statement Crossface! Bayley crawls, powers up and hits BAYLEY2BELLY!! Cover, TWO!! Nikki survives and shocks the Role Models! Bayley rains down furious right hands but Alexa and the crowd are thunderous for Nikki. Bayley jams her knee into Nikki’s face, then drags her to a corner. Bayley hoists Nikki up top, climbs to join her, and hits the SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Bayley can’t believe it, argues with the ref, but Nikki rolls her up! TWO!! Bayley KNEES Nikki down! Cover, TWO! Nikki still lives but Bayley drags her up by her hair to throw her out of the ring.

Bayley follows after, gets a good luck hug from Sasha, and then daredevil dropkicks, into a swing from Nikki! Bayley SMACKS into post! Nikki gets in, rams into Bayley, then throat chops! Bayley comes back, Nikki slips out of the scoop to inverted DDT! Both women are down but the crowd keeps rallying up! Sasha grows worried but Alexa has confidence. Nikki runs, ducks and forearms Bayley down! Nikki starts to rally and she dropkicks Bayley to a corner. Nikki runs in, corner splash to BULLDOG! Bayley is down but Nikki fires up as she climbs up! Nikki leaps again, but Bayley gets under. Bayley comes back, Nikki dodges to ripcord neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Nikki grits her teeth as she drags Bayley back up. Nikki gets Bayley up for a back suplex! But she keeps going, another back suplex! Cover, TWO!

Alexa coaches Nikki and the crowd continues to rally. Bayley reaches, Sasha takes deep breaths, but Nikki throws off the vest! Nikki climbs up but Bayley bumps ropes to trip her up! Bayley runs side to side to KNEE Nikki down! Cover, TWO! Nikki still lives and Sasha is losing her cool. Bayley is also upset, she runs in but gets BUCKLES! Both women are down again but the crowd is loving this! Nikki goes out to drag Bayley onto the apron, DRAPING PURGE!! Both women are down on the outside and the ring count begins! The count reaches 5 as Bayley and Nikki both get in. Bayley CLOBBERS Nikki down, but Nikki CLOBBERS Bayley back! Cover, TWO!!

Nikki isn’t sure what she has to do as she reaches for Bayley. Bayley kicks her away and Sasha helps Bayley get to the apron. Sasha slips something to Bayley?! She distracts the ref, Alexa steps to Sasha, Bayley uses the brass knuckles, or BOSS knuckles rather, to sucker punch Nikki! FACEPLANT!! Cover, Bayley wins!!

Winner: Bayley, by pinfall (still SmackDown Women’s Champion)

Sasha has a huge assist in this match to keep Bayley Dos Straps at dos straps! Will Bayley do the same for Sasha so that she can win a second title? Or will the Kabuki Warriors see the tricks coming this time? As for Nikki, was this the one and only time she gets her shot at gold?

 

It’s a special edition of the Firefly Fun House!

And a really creepy one at that… In a castle’s secret laboratory, “Braycula” welcomes us to the Horror Show at Extreme Rules! It has already been a ghastly evening, but the worst has yet to come! For he will show us the most horrifying footage known to man! It’s the SmackDown Karaoke Showdown! Ramblin’ Rabbit, that was the wrong footage. But now, the real horrors! Bear witness to never-before-seen video of the little lost sheep who became a monster coming home to his creator who holds the whole world in his hands! MWAHAHAHAHA!

 

WWE has an update on tonight’s United States Championship match!

Apollo Crews is NOT medically cleared to compete against MVP tonight! Apollo was ready and willing, but he did not pass his physical because of an injury sustained at the hands of Bobby Lashley. So what does that mean for tonight’s match?

MVP and Bobby Lashley head to the ring!

“Now let that be a lesson to anyone foolish enough to step into the ring with the All Mighty Bobby Lashley.” Unfortunately, there is a problem they must come to terms with. Lashley can NOT apply that Full Nelson with such power that it injures someone to the hindrance of furthering MVP’s career. So do to forfeit, the NEW WWE United States Champion is… MVP! Lashley helps MVP put the shiny new belt on, and it’s apparently official. MVP and Lashley head out to still go to that after party. Will Apollo Crews return to make sure MVP doesn’t continue to twist the truth?

 

Eye for an Eye Match: Rey Mysterio VS Seth Rollins!

The King of Lucha Libre doesn’t mean this metaphorically, he means this literally! He wants to make the Monday Night Messiah pay for everything he’s done and lose use of an eye just like he has! But Rollins wants to permanently sacrifice Mysterio for the “greater good.” Who truly turns this PPV into a horror show by taking out another man’s eye from his skull?!

Rollins enters, and presents a pair of PLIERS! He is more than prepared to rip Mysterio’s working eye from his face! But Mysterio enters from behind! The bell rings, Mysterio dropkicks Rollins to ropes, but Rollins gets clear of the 619! Rollins drags Mysterio out, aims for the steel steps, but Mysterio slips out and gets back in the ring. Rollins follows, Mysterio runs but Rollins follows to SLING BLADE! Rollins seethes as he finally takes off his jacket. Rollins claws at Mysterio’s mask! Mysterio gets to a corner, Rollins throws forearms and shoulders in. Rollins whips corner to corner, Mysterio goes up and over, slips off and kicks his leg! Mysterio digs at Rollins’ eyes! Mysterio throws hands then whips but Rollins reverses. Mysterio headscissors Rollins into the post!

Mysterio uses Rollins’ pliers but Rollins gets away! Mysterio decides to bring out a table, and a toolbox!? Mysterio has rebar and swings it at Rollins! Rollins gets clear, hurries out to the other side, and looks under the ring. Mysterio grabs at Rollins but gets a kendo stick SMACK! Rollins gets in the ring and aims the tip, but Mysterio ducks to dropkick the legs out! Mysteiro kicks Rollins then runs, QUEBRADA! Rollins catches him, but Mysterio slips off and shoulders back. Mysterio slingshots to headscissor Rollins onto ropes! Mysterio runs, but Rollins bails out. So Mysterio drags him up by his hair, only for Rollins to shoulder into him. Rollins steps up, drags Mysterio over, and goes after buckles. Mysterio blocks the bump to hit back.

Mysterio springs up but the headscissor is blocked! Rollins pops Mysterio to his shoulder, positions him, APRON FALCON ARROW!! The crowd is freaking out while the ref checks on Mysterio. Somehow Mysterio is okay to continue but Rollins has him. Rollins digs his fingers into the good eye! Mysterio gets away but Rollins stalks him around the way. “I’m gonna get that eye!” Rollins rams Mysterio into the apron then grabs the rebar. Rollins swings but Mysterio ducks and dodges! Mysterio hurries but Rollins jabs the bar into the ribs and lower back! Rollins keeps Mysterio from getting away and wants to use the steel steps! Mysterio resists with everything he has and elbows Rollins away! Mysterio kicks low, but Rollins RAMS Mysterio into barriers!

Rollins drags Mysterio up and puts him in the ring. Rollins has the kendo stick again and wants to dig the end of it in! Mysterio holds Rollins off but Rollins stomps his ribs. Rollins throws Rollins out of the ring, Mysterio slides out and falls hard on the table he left behind! Rollins heads out after Mysterio, but Mysterio calls him a “son of a b*tch!” Rollins stomps Mysterio and says none of this would’ve happened if Mysterio had just listened. Rollins uses a chair! He wants to use a leg to destroy the eye! Mysterio resists so Rollins uses the chair to trap Mysterio against the ground! Rollins grabs at the eye! Mysterio slaps the hands away and Rollins lets off. Mysterio uses the chair for his own to JAM Rollins in the ribs! Mysterio swings, Rollins dodges, the chair hits the desk!

Rollins clubs Mysterio from behind, then grabs a pen! Mysterio dodges the pen stab! Rollins has a hook! Mysterio dodges that, then drop toeholds Rollins! Rollins hits the point of the desk! Rollins’ eyes are not out, so Mysterio must keep going. Mysterio has the chair and wants to do the same leg attack Rollins tried! Rollins kicks Mysterio away but Mysterio grabs more tools from the box. Rollins CHAIR SHOTS Mysterio on the back first! Mysterio leans against the ring but Rollins brings out spare tag rope. Rollins ties Mysterio’s arm to the bottom rope! Mysterio fights back with the free arm and then boots Rollins away! Rollins staggers into a headscissor into the POST! Rollins flounders while Mysterio frees himself.

Mysterio stalks after Rollins as he goes into the ring. Rollins grabs the kendo stick to SMACK Mysterio in the chest! Mysterio writhes while Rollins uses the stick to stand. Rollins SMACKS Mysterio again! The crowd boos but Rollins spots Mysterio on the apron. Rollins wedges the kendo stick into the post and brings Mysterio up. The crowd rallies as Rollins says it didn’t have to be this way. “Open your eyes!” Mysterio avoids the stick and hits back! Mysterio enziguris Rollins, goes up top, and leaps for the seated senton! Mysterio keeps moving, tilt-o-whirl headscissors and a basement dropkick! The crowd is fired up as Mysterio climbs up top. Mysterio leaps again, FROG SPLASH! Rollins writhes but Mysterio gets to his feet.

Mysterio digs his thumbs at Rollins’ eyes! Rollins pushes Mysterio away, runs in but into a boot! Mysterio runs and rolls but Rollins makes it an alley-oop bomb! Mysterio is down and Rollins grits his teeth. Rollins watches Mysterio crawl, he runs in, but no Curb Stomp! Mysterio runs, tornado DDT’s! Rollins rolls to the apron and flops to the floor. Mysterio eggs Rollins on, grabs the kendo stick, but Rollins clubs him on the back. Rollins Electric Chairs Mysterio, but Mysterio SMACKS the stick against Rollins’ face! Mysterio sunset BOMBS Rollins into barriers! Both men are down but the crowd is thunderous! Mysterio gets up first and back into the ring. Mysterio builds speed to slide and sunset BOMB Rollins again!!

Rollins is down but Mysterio sits up. The crowd cheers Mysterio on as he grabs the kendo stick. Mysterio BREAKS it to have a jagged piece of bamboo! Rollins is on the apron, Mysterio has the piece! Mysterio digs it into Rollins’ eye!! Rollins gets the bamboo away but what about his eye?! No blood or eye, so Mysterio gives Rollins a 619!! Rollins clutches his face but there’s still no blood or eye. Mysterio brings Rollins up, but Rollins turns things around! The steel steps come back into play, but Mysterio slips out to STEAL THE STOMP!! Rollins is down but this isn’t over yet. Mysterio stands, Rollins takes off the eye patch to show the damaged eye. “You’re no messiah, Seth.” Mysterio drags Rollins to the steel steps!!

Rollins tries but he can’t fight it off! The steps come so close to his eye but Rollins mule kick LOW BLOWS Mysterio! Rollins SUPERKICKS Mysterio against barriers! Rollins aims, and CURB STOMPS Mysterio down! The crowd boos but Rollins crawls to Mysterio. “You did this to yourself, Rey!” They go back to the steel steps! Rollins wants to finish this and Mysterio fights with everything he can but it doesn’t look to be enough! Rollins is going to go after the already bad right eye! Mysterio’s eye is being dug in! Rollins lets off. When Mysterio turns around, Rollins is sick to his stomach! The eye is OUT!! Rollins wins!!

Winner: Seth Rollins

Mysterio’s son, Dominik, and medics rush out. The eye is out and needs to be put back in! Rollins actually VOMITS over seeing the eye! The medics help Mysterio up the ramp, with Dominik following behind. Everyone is speechless, and even Rollins isn’t sure what to make of this. The crowd boos at Rollins as he awkwardly leaves. Was the greater good worth what Rollins just did to another human being?

 

Backstage interview with Bayley.

A “nefarious” victory for the champ, but we all look up to Rey Mysterio. Bayley is in shock like we all are. She isn’t sure if he’ll get a chance to see this video, but she wants him to know, “You’re not seeing double!” She is STILL #BayleyDosStraps! CLINK CLINK! And now, she introduces the Legit Boss, the Blueprint and soon to be another double champion, Sasha Banks! That’s how you do an introduction, Kayla! Any more questions? Doesn’t matter! Bayley has annihilated everyone left on the roster! Go check on Nikki, she might be hurt. And then when Sasha wins, they’ll hold all the gold and all will be right in the world. Bring the champagne, put it on ice at ringside, it’s time to celebrate! Will it really be that easy for these two to take over?

 

Raw Women’s Championship: Asuka w/ Kairi Sane VS Sasha Banks w/ Bayley!

The Golden Role Models still have all the belts they came in with but are looking to add one more! Will the Empress of Tomorrow deny what The Boss considers destiny? Or are we about to witness the rise of #DoubleDoubleChampChamps?

The introductions are made, the Raw title is raised, and the fate of the WWE Women’s Division is on the line!

Asuka and Sasha circle but the crowd is on Asuka’s side. Sasha and Asuka tie up, go around, and end up in a corner. The ref counts, Sasha pushes Asuka across the way into the other corner. The ref counts again but Sasha pie faces Asuka as she breaks. Asuka and Sasha circle again and tie up. Sasha headlocks and grinds Asuka down, but Asuka fights up. Sasha throws big knees, headlocks again but Asuka fights back. Asuka powers out, follows Sasha, but Sasha spins Asuka around to throw her down by her hair! Bayley is the only one cheering as Sasha looms over Asuka. Asuka KICKS Sasha back! Asuka fires off fast strikes then shoves Sasha, but Sasha turns the pop-up knee into a takedown! BANK STATEMENT!

Asuka scrambles and reaches for ropes, but Sasha lets her go just to stomp away on the hands! Asuka gets up but Sasha BOOTS her down, then basement Meteoras! Cover, TWO! Sasha keeps on Asuka with a double knuckle lock cover, TWO! Kairi cheers on “Asuka-nee” but Sasha puts the shoulders down. TWO as Asuka gets the other arm up. Sasha goes again, TWO as Asuka bridges! Sasha drops on Asuka for another cover, TWO! Sasha tries again, Asuka flips Sasha around and gets the ARMBAR! Sasha rolls and rolls to the ropebreak! Asuka lets go fast and Sasha is on the apron. Asuka brings her up but Sasha forearms back! Sasha knuckle locks, climbs and jumps to arm-drag Asuka away! Asuka gets up, Sasha CHOPS her! Asuka eggs Sasha on and Sasha chops again! And again!

Sasha fires off furious palm strikes then knees low. Sasha tries the arm-drag again but gets a KNEE! Kairi and the crowd cheer as Asuka aims at Sasha. Asuka runs, to HIP ATTACK Sasha down! Bayley is worried as Sasha is down. Asuka goes out to drag Sasha back up and into the ring, but Sasha spins to tiger feint Asuka down! Asuka climbs up, Sasha runs to SUNSET FLIP! Asuka holds onto ropes, fights the hands off, and STOMPS Sasha in the chest! Asuka then sliding KNEES Sasha down! The crowd and Kairi are fired up for Asuka as she drags Sasha up. Asuka puts Sasha back in, and then chicken wings! Sasha arm-drags Asuka off the lock and into buckles! Sasha runs to meteora Asuka into the buckles! Then Sasha hotshots the arm on the crossbar! Cover, TWO!

Asuka still lives, Sasha goes after Asuka’s arms! Sasha pulls on the wrist and fingers while standing on the other hand. Asuka endures as Sasha tortures the joins. The ref reprimands, Sasha lets go, and Asuka sits up in the corner. Kairi and the crowd rally up but Sasha drags Asuka around. Asuka hits back with body shots and a shove, but Sasha tilt-o-whirls to a mount! Sasha has the mounted armbar then grabs the other arm. It’s an inverted motorcycle stretch as Sasha makes the arms meet! And she sneaks pulling on the fingers literally behind Asuka’s back. Sasha then uses Danielson Stomps to put Asuka down! Cover, TWO!! Asuka survives and the crowd keeps cheering her own. Sasha tells Asuka to give up but Asuka shouts, “NEVER!”

Sasha KNEES Asuka to the corner, throws fast hands, then turns Asuka sideways for the STOCK DROP! Then a BIGGER drop! Cover, TWO!! Asuka survives and endures the pain in her ribs, but Sasha starts giving her kicks. Sasha grabs both arms again for that modified stretch. Asuka endures as the crowd continues to rally. Asuka fights up, but Sasha does more stomps! Asuka keeps her shoulders up off the mat to kick and kick and kick back! Asuka stands to keep kicking! Sasha blocks one to spin Asuka but Asuka ducks to BACK HAND! Sasha flounders all the way to a corner and the crowd is fired up again. Asuka runs corner to corner but Sasha goes up to Nightshade Asuka into buckles! Bayley is relieved and Sasha is up top, but Asuka kicks her legs out! DRAPING CODE BREAKER!

Both women are down but stirring. Sasha and Asuka grab at each other feebly as Kairi coaches Asuka up. Sasha goes to the apron but Asuka fires up and runs! Asuka hip attacks but misses, Sasha KICKS her back! Sasha then grabs Asuka in a waistlock! Asuka holds ropes for dear life, elbows Sasha away, then blocks a kick to put Sasha in the ropes! Asuka fires off forearms and wants the suplex like Sasha. Sasha elbows Asuka off, slips under, and BOMBS Asuka into the Plexiglas!! The crowd boos as Sasha drags Asuka up and into the ring. Sasha climbs up top, aims at Asuka in the drop zone, and FROG SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!! Asuka still lives, but Sasha gets the BANK STATEMENT!

Sasha cranks hard, Asuka reaches, gets an arm free, and crawls for ropes! ROPEBREAK! Sasha lets go at 4, and is growing further frustrated with Asuka. Sasha joins Asuka on the apron, and tells Asuka she is the greatest ever. But Asuka doesn’t care, she throws forearms! POP-UP KNEE! Sasha flops down, Asuka fires up and brings Sasha up on the ropes! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Sasha swing, into another GERMAN! Asuka fires off kick after kick, then runs for the sliding enziguri! Cover, TWO! Sasha survives but Asuka keeps her cool. Asuka buzzsaws, Sasha blocks. Sasha kicks, Asuka blocks to GERMAN! Then HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Asuka grows frustrated but Bayley is stressing out. Kairi cheers as Asuka climbs up top. Asuka aims, leaps, but the missile dropkick misses! SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!

Both women are down in exhaustion as their tag partners coach them up. Sasha sits up first, heads for a corner, but Asuka rocks her on the top rope! Asuka climbs up to join Sasha, brings her around, but Sasha resists the superplex! Sasha clubs and elbows Asuka over and over until she flops off the corner. Sasha laughs while adjusting her position, but Asuka gets up to club her back! Asuka climbs back up, waistlocks, SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX!! But Sasha lands on her feet!? CORNER METEORA! Sasha hurries up top, but she slips off the ropes! Sasha clutches her leg, but she shouts at the ref to leave her alone! She wants to win this title! Sasha crawls to Asuka and the two start brawling with forearms!

Sasha drags Asuka up, blocks a punch and goes for a takedown! Asuka denies it, gets the chicken wing but Bayley jumps on the apron! Kairi yanks her off and they start brawling! Bayley ducks a back hand to BAYLEY2BELLY Kairi! Sasha rolls Asuka, Asuka rolls it back, but Sasha pops out! Sasha grabs, Asuka drops to victory roll, TWO! Asuka has Ssaha’s hair, drags her into the chinlock but Sasha resists the full lock. Bayley throws a title belt in! The ref grabs it, Sasha is tapping! Bayley aims, the ref shouts at Bayley, Asuka ROUNDHOUSES Bayley down! Kairi sneaks sometihng to Asuka?! Bayley drags herself out of the ring while Sasha sits up. Sasha has the tag belt and aims at Asuka! But this won’t win her the Raw title!

The ref takes the tag belt, Sasha complains, Asuka turns her around and SPITS MIST! But Sasha ducks and the ref gets hit!! Sasha grabs Asuka, Asuka spins around but Bayley BELT SHOTS Asuka from behind!! Bayley takes the ref’s shirt off him!? To put it on!? Bayley is making herself a ref! Sasha covers, Bayley counts, Sasha wins?! Bayley wants them to ring the bell but the timekeeper refuses. Bayley scares him into doing it, and takes the Raw belt away!

Winner(?): Sasha Banks

Bayley gives the belt to Sasha, but this can’t be official in any sense of the word. What is going to happen with the Raw Women’s Championship?

 

Charly Caruso has an update on Rey Mysterio.

Rey is going to a local medical facility where he will be treated for “traumatic globe luxation.” Absolutely horrifying to say the least, but there is good news. If the optic nerve is not severed and that the rest isn’t damaged, Mysterio can maintain his vision. Is there a chance Mysterio can still keep both eyes?

 

WWE World Championship, Ziggler’s Choice: Drew McIntyre VS Dolph Ziggler!

The Scottish Stud refuses to let the Show-Off take credit for his accomplishments, or to feel entitled to some kind of thank you match. Things only escalated from there and have gotten very personal. McIntyre is so confident in his victory that he is letting Ziggler choose the stipulation! Just what does Ziggler have in mind for his old friend?

McIntyre glares at Ziggler, demanding to know the stipulation. Ziggler wants the introductions first, so the introductions are made. Now Ziggler takes the mic to say, “You made a big mistake, Drew. I’m smarter than you, you underestimated me, signed the contract and let me pick the stipulation afterwards.” So here it is: The WWE World Championship will be EXTREME RULES! Wow, what a surprise. “For Dolph Ziggler only!” And NO Champion’s Advantage! If McIntyre runs away, Ziggler gets the title! If McIntyre gets himself disqualified, Ziggler gets the title! “I always told you, kid. Mine’s bigger! Now ring the bell.” The title is raised, and this one-sided extremism begins!

McIntyre and Ziggler circle, Ziggler bails out but McIntyre follows. Ziggler starts looking under the ring but hesitates. McIntyre JABS Ziggler then bumps him off the announce desk! McIntyre bumps Ziggler off the apron then POSTS him! There’s still a lot of ways to bend the normal rules for the champ! McIntyre puts Ziggler in then bumps him hard off buckles! McIntyre CHOPS Ziggler and the crowd cheers as he looms over Ziggler. McIntyre brings Ziggler up to belly2belly TOSS him! “Get up, Dolph! Get up!” Ziggler writhes as McIntyre aims, and Ziggler bails out. McIntyre follows after as Ziggler crawls. McIntyre drags Ziggler up to throw haymakers. The ring count on McIntyre begins, and Ziggler rakes McIntyre’s eyes! McIntyre gets into the ring, Ziggler gets a chair!

Ziggler aims but McIntyre blocks! McIntyre takes the chair away, tosses it, and still blocks a superkick for a SNAP belly2belly! Didn’t think that was possible. McIntyre follows Ziggler out, brings Ziggler up to CHOP him against the apron! McIntyre puts Ziggler back in before the ring count hits 5. McIntyre stands Ziggler up, Ziggler throws body shots but they do nothing. McIntyre shoves, Ziggler kicks back! Still nothing. McIntyre clotheslines Ziggler out of the ring! McIntyre stalks Ziggler, brings him up, and scoops him, only for Ziggler to slip out and POST him! Ziggler RAMS McIntyre into Plexiglas then POSTS him again! Ziggler shoves McIntyre away while he brings out a table. McIntyre gets in the ring at 6, Ziggler sets his table up but McIntyre returns.

McIntyre clubs Ziggler, drags him up, and suplexes him away from the table to hit the floor! McIntyre is frustrated at how close he was to messing up. McIntyre puts Ziggler back in, drags him up in a dead lift SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Ziggler survives and McIntyre is losing his cool. The crowd cheers McIntyre on as he looms over Ziggler. “I told you I was going to beat you until you’re unconscious, Dolph. I can do this all night.” McIntyre brings Ziggler up, Ziggler LOW BLOWS him! Ziggler is in Extreme Rules so he can get away with it! Ziggler grabs chairs from under the ring and brings them all in. Ziggler sits one up, then gives McIntyre a SMACK to the back, a JAB to the ribs and more SMACKS to the back! Chair shot after chair shot drops McIntyre to the mat.

McIntyre drags himself up using the one chair, but Ziggler SMACKS him again! McIntyre ended up in a chair vice! Then a HEAD SHOT! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre survives but has to bail out to the apron. Ziggler grins as he stalks behind McIntyre. Ziggler leaps from the apron, into McIntyre’s arms! McIntyre TOSSES Ziggler into and over the announce desk!! Commentary just gets clear while McIntyre goes back into the ring. McIntyre catches his breath and refreshes the count to clear off the announce desk! McIntyre drags Ziggler up onto the desk and looks to finish this. McIntyre wants people to move, and then bearhugs Ziggler, only for Ziggler to fight off the super belly2belly! Ziggler kicks the legs out and McIntyre hops off the desk. Ziggler SUPER FAMOUSERS McIntyre down!!

Both men are down, the ring count on McIntyre passes 5! Ziggler gets in, McIntyre drags himself in at 9! Ziggler flounders over to McIntyre but McIntyre shoves him away. McIntyre runs, Ziggler dodges but McIntyre lands on the apron. McIntyre ROCKS Ziggler, but slowly climbs the corner. Ziggler gets under the ax handle to leap on for a sleeper hold! McIntyre gets the ropes but Ziggler is not affected by ropebreaks! McIntyre starts to fade as Ziggler squeezes tighter! The crowd rallies, McIntyre gets his second wind, and throws Ziggler off! Ziggler flounders to a corner, McIntyre runs over but gets POST! Ziggler POSTS McIntyre the other way! But McIntyre still LARIATS back! Both men are down and the crowd rallies up.

McIntyre and Ziggler both go out of the ring, but McIntyre is up first. McIntyre drags Ziggler up, drops him to CATAPULT him into Plexiglas! McIntyre gets back in the ring to refresh the count before going after Ziggler again. McIntyre puts Ziggler in, wants him to stand, and runs in to elbow! Inverted Alabama SLAM! McIntyre has a thumb up, but says thumbs down. The crowd fires up and counts down with him! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CHAIR SHOT to the leg! ZIGZAG!! Cover, TWO!!! Ziggler can’t believe McIntyre survives! Ziggler is furious as McIntyre drags himself up the ropes. Ziggler storms over but McIntyre throws Ziggler out! McIntyre follows after, drags Ziggler up but Ziggler SUPERKICKS! McIntyre ends up on the table and Ziggler climbs the corner!

Ziggler isn’t satisfied with a ring out, he SUPER MACHO ELBOWS through McIntyre AND table!! Both men are down but it’s on McIntyre to get back into the ring! Ziggler drags himself away while the count climbs to 5. McIntyre stirs at 7, stands at 8, flops over but gets in at 9.9!! Ziggler is losing his mind! Ziggler crawls in after McIntyre, grabs a chair but McIntyre HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss puts Ziggler on ropes, McIntyre drags him up into the underhooks, but Ziggler spins out and kicks a leg! FAMOUSER! McIntyre flounders up, ZIGZAG! McIntyre is up again, URENAGE onto the CHAIR! Cover, TWO!?!? McIntyre survives again and Ziggler has no idea how! “Why won’t you die?!”

McIntyre crawls in a daze but Ziggler throws a chair out at the Plexiglas. Ziggler grabs another chair and throws it aside. Then a third chair. “This is MY time!” Ziggler tunes up the band as he demands McIntyre stand. McIntyre kips up and CLAYMORES!! Cover, McIntyre wins!!

Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall (still WWE World Champion)

Incredible! Ziggler had a stacked deck and yet McIntyre knocked his house of cards down! Will anyone or anything be able to stop the Scottish Psychopath?

 

Wyatt Swamp Fight: Braun Strowman VS Bray Wyatt!

This may not be for the WWE Universal Championship, but this is for something even more important. If the Monster Among Men wins, he can finally put his past behind him. If he loses, it may very well mean the end of his humanity. Who survives wading through the murky depths of the dark and dangerous swamp of pure evil?

Bray Wyatt sits in his rocking chair once more. A truck pulls up, and Braun Strowman gets out. Flashes of their past run through his mind as he walks up to Bray. Bray smiles as Braun says, “I’m home.” The lights go out, Bray laughs, and when the lights come back, he’s gone. Up to his old tricks again. A sign reads, “Abandon all hope ye who enter here.” Braun throws the chair at it! The laughter echoes, and Braun follows them deeper into the swamp. Wild boars run around, rabbits and buzzards make noise, and a masked minion attacks! Strowman fights that one off, and another one, and then Firefly Fun House Bray interrupts with a cheer! “Braun, Braun, he’s our man! If he can’t do it, no one can!”

Braun fights off one masked attacker but the other jumps on with a sleeper! Braun throws him off to ROCK and KNEE him down! “C’mon, Bray! Where you at?! Show your damn face!” Someone uses a shovel to SMACK Braun in the back! Braunw writhes but looks up to see… himself?! The Black Sheep looms over Braun and smiles! And then SMACKS Braun in the head!

When Braun comes to, he’s back in the old shack, chained to a rocking chair. The creepy dolls and sheep masks laugh at him. Braun realizes he’s stuck and tries to break free. Bray walks in, the old familiar song playing. “Let me out of these chains, you bastard!” Bray puts the lantern down to officially welcome Bruan home. Does he like what Bray did with the place? Braun hates Bray. Tell Bray all about it. Braun wants to hurt Bray, huh? But he can’t hurt what’s already dead! “And man, have I missed you!” This Bray has been watching. And he’s proud of what he’s become. The people love Braun, and it gets Bray’s heart racing. Bray knows Braun’s success is borrowed and temporary. When his 15 minutes are up, what will the people think of him? Who will have his back? Bray knows the answer.

Braun can’t see where he’s belong. He doesn’t care what Braun thinks, he just wants Braun to understand he isn’t Braun’s enemy! “Can’t you see the human race is a bacteria? Is an infection?” Braun is like Bray: he’s special. But he doesn’t understand. That’s why Braun needs Bray. They could be GODS and RULE! The people will bow down! Societies crumble, governments fall, and there they will be as prophesied! Does Braun know where Bray’s been? Braun doesn’t care, he’ll just send Bray back to hell where he belongs! Bray has been to places worse than Braun can ever imagine! Bray was stuck down a dark hole, watching the world through his own eyes, unable to control his own body!

But now, this Bray is back and it feels so good! “Look, Daddy! I got my wings back!” Bray ain’t going back! Braun is a weapon, Bray is the wielder! Bray knows what he is supposed to do. But in order for Braun to be the monster he is destined to be, Bray must destroy the one he’s become. Braun vows to never go back to doing his bidding! Bray wants to show Braun something really scary. Sister Abigail walks in with a snake! It BITES Braun!! “Come home.”

A fire burns. Braun walks over it to fight more masked minions. He clubs and kicks and knees them down, but then another minion swings a shovel! Braun ducks and dodges and fights over the shovel with the man, and Braun takes it for his own! Braun breaks the shovel handle and SMASHES the minion with the head! The man ends up in the fire and starts to burn! Braun laughs at the main as he runs around, but Braun tries to fight it, too. “Braun~!” A voice calls to him. “You don’t need to do this. Run. Come home, Braun.” Sister Abigail is actually… Alexa Bliss?! He knows he’s always wanted her. Just follow her home. This is what he’s always wanted, right? This can be his life. Just come home. No, it’s a trick! And then Bray attacks!! Bray goes after Braun’s eyes!!

Braun breaks free to CHOKE SLAM Bray into a boat! The boat’s motor takes it down the way. Has Braun broken Bray? Wait, the boat is coming back. How did it turn around? Braun watches the boat come back to the dock, wades through the water to check it, and it’s empty. Then who…? Bray emerges from the water and hits Braun with an oar! Bray goes to drown Braun in the swamp water!! Braun fights, the threat of gators around the corner! But eventually, Braun stomps fighting back. Wait, he emerges! Braun gasps and sputters and gets to the dock ladder. Braun drags himself up out of the water, flops onto the deck, but hears someone else laughing. And then, Bray stands over him with the oar!

Bray smacks him with the oar and throws forearms but Braun hits back. Braun stalks Bray but Bray hits him with an ax handle! Bray hits Braun over and over and over and over! Bray roars into the night, and then says, “Look what you made me do.” But Braun stands?! Bray laughs but Braun BOOTS him through the deck railing into the water! Bray doesn’t come back up. Braun kneels to look closer at the water, and says it’s over. Or is it? Bray reaches up with the MANDIBLE CLAW and drags Braun in!! Braun fights up but Bray drags him back down again! One last bubble, but now BRAY is the one fighting to get out of the water? Where are they? More bubbles, and now we’re in red water? Is someone bleeding? THE FIEND emerges!! “LET ME IN.” Bray wins the Swamp Fight, but did he lose control of himself again?

Winner: Bray Wyatt


My Thoughts:

Wow, this Extreme Rules was actually really good! There were a lot of things fans were worried about, but I don’t think any of those things happened. Kevin VS Murphy was pretty good but pretty fast for a kickoff show match I didn’t know was happening. And it worked a bit in story so that there would be no interference during the Eye for an Eye match. That match as a match was really great, even with the concept of getting an eye out of the socket. I may have blinked or looked down for a moment but I didn’t see a fake eye or whatever, only Rollins selling how traumatic that is to see. Rollins’ vomiting was a great touch, not sure if that was kayfabe barf or worked shoot barfing on command. Great touch, though, as was “removing” the already damaged eye. Now Mysterio won’t be completely blind in kayfabe.

It was great to see D-Von as part of the kickoff show, and naturally he was here to put over the table match. That table match was incredible, innovative, and went completely the other way than expected. WWE defies the math to great effect, and WOW Kofi going through two vertically arranged tables was insane. Cesaro and Nakamura being tag champions is a great move, and will freshen up things on SmackDown, though I’m not entirely sure who steps up to face them. The Usos are out of tag action while Jimmy recovers from injury and I can’t see New Day having a rematch unless Xavier Woods is miraculously ready to return. Miz & Morrison are strongly Heel though fans do like the guys. Heavy Machinery or Lucha House Party are probably the only ones that could even work a program with them, which is actually pretty good for those two.

It was a shame Apollo couldn’t make it to the PPV, I was looking forward to his match with MVP. They did a good job adjusting with the promo and the second unofficial crowning of MVP as champion. Hopefully whatever reason Apollo isn’t wrestling clears up and we can get this match to crown the undisputed United States Champion. Maybe it’ll be a match for SummerSlam, perhaps a ladder match so you have to pull down the shiny new belt. Meanwhile, MVP can also continue his recruitment of Cedric Alexander and we see how that story goes. McIntyre VS Ziggler was also really good, and I didn’t expect Ziggler to use his choice like that. Though in a way, Ziggler looks like a doofus not being able to finish McIntyre off with all those advantages. I’m very curious to see who rises up to be McIntyre’s next contender, but it feels a lot like Randy Orton after we see the “Unsanctioned” match with Big Show tomorrow.

I really liked how Bliss-Cross and Kabuki Warriors had their pep talk backstage. Both the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championship matches were great stuff, and each finish had a lot of controversy that both does and doesn’t hurt those involved. In a way, it feels like Kairi jinxed Nikki. Sasha was obviously a big key to Bayley retaining, which is good Heel work, and Nikki probably had the best singles match since the Last Woman Standing with Asuka in NXT. Bayley doing her part in returning the favor was good stuff, not quite how I had been expecting things to go but really creative. I didn’t expect Bayley to pretend to be a ref, and clearly her call shouldn’t count. Raw can be made even bigger tomorrow night with a rematch. Maybe a ladder match so that it’s about possession of the title.

Then the Swamp Fight was a lot of great stuff, too. Not really sure what was up with the masked minions, though. Couldn’t they wear sheep masks to keep continuity? Braun trying to stop himself from laughing at the one guy’s pain and Sister Abigail taking the form of Alexa to tempt Braun were great details to speak to Braun’s character. There are things he wants to be and doesn’t want to be, so it gives real depth to him. I also liked the promo part in the middle, with Bray framing the “Three Faces of Foley” situation as split personalities or even spiritual possession, as if the other two are these spirits within him. It works given the very, very end of the show, where old Bray does beat Braun, only for him to be dragged down into the water by The Fiend. Braun’s nightmare is coming true, but also this is going to be the tiebreaker at SummerSlam. Braun beat Firefly, lost to Eater of Worlds, but it’ll all be on the line against Bray’s strongest form.

My Score: 8.9/10


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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (3/18/24)

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

Becky Lynch and Nia Jax want to finally put this to an end, so tonight on Raw, it will be a Big Time Last Woman Standing match! Will the Irresistible Force force the WrestleMania 40 match to change?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers; DIY wins and advances to WrestleMania.
  • Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance; Candice & Indi win.
  • Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Awesome Truth VS Indus Sher; The Awesome Truth wins and advances to WrestleMania.
  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy; The New Day wins and advances to WrestleMania.
  • Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax; Becky wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

North Carolina State University fires up and bounces along with Main Event Jey, and Pat McAfee plays a dangerous game standing on the armchairs! From Bret VS Owen to Matt VS Jeff, we’re about to get Jey VS Jimmy in the third-ever Brother VS Brother WrestleMania grudge match! Jey gets the mic as fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey welcomes us to Monday Night Raw, and wants us to check this out. He knows his brothers are somewhere in the building. He knows The Bloodline’s in the building. He knows how the Bloodline rolls! SO Big Brother Jimmy, where you at?! Where you at, Uce!?

Jey waits for someone to show up somewhere, and the crowd spots them first! Fans boo as Jimmy & Solo make their way from the back of the stands. Jimmy gets a mic and goes to the apron while Solo paces around the outside. Fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” again as Jey puts the sunglasses aside. The Usos stare each other down, the fans now chant “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey wants to say something, hesitates, but then says these two would always get to it but they always knew how to shake right back to this. But now it’s different. Regardless of what happened, the bad blood between them, Jey misses his brother. He does.

Jey knows Jimmy will say what he wants, but Jey doesn’t talk to him no more, doesn’t ride with him no more, doesn’t even see him no more! Jimmy can just come back. Jimmy says he never left! He protected Jey! Jey’s so dumb, he can’t see it! Jimmy is protecting Jey! It was Jey’s idea to leave The Bloodline, but Jimmy helped because he is Jey’s brother. So yeah, Jey leaves, and what happens? Lil’ Bro becomes the BIGGEST star on the Raw roster! Lil’ Bro becomes the top merch seller! Lil’ Bro goes off to become a tag team champion without Jimmy, but with CODY RHODES!? Who left who, Uce?

Jey forgot Jimmy! Everything Jey did that was big was cuz of Big Bro Jimmy! Everything! So listen loud and clear. The biggest moment in Jey’s career, the BIGGEST moment, is because of Jimmy! Jimmy stares Jey down, but Jey says no. Jey’s biggest moment in his career is going to be his dream match at WrestleMania 40: Jey VS Jimmy, and Jey knocks the yeet out Jimmy’s ass! Jey DECKS Jimmy, DECKS Solo off the apron, but then Jimmy SUPERKICKS Jey down! The fans boo but now Solo storms in and looms over Jey. Solo drags Jey up so Jimmy can look him in the face and tell him that Jey needs to get it right! JIMMY made Jey!

But here comes Cody Rhodes! The fans fire up as Cody DECKS Jimmy, then gets in to springboard and CODY CUTTER Solo!! The American Nightmare said he was gonna be a Bloodline Hunter, and he made sure they didn’t take out Jey! Cody tells The Bloodline it is only a matter of time before they lose it all at WrestleMania! Will Jey prove that younger or older doesn’t matter when he is the BETTER brother?

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

He’s telling Nick Aldis to stop being a hypocrite, telling Pearce to keep his roster in check when this is happening. But then Paul Heyman walks over and Pearce says he’ll call Aldis back. Pearce then asks Heyman what was all that, and Heyman says he owes Pearce an apology. He is sorry. That was not authorized by The Final Boss nor The Tribal Chief, and certainly not by Heyman. Jimmy & Solo went into business for themselves so Heyman apologizes. But listen, Pearce knows that there have been flight delays all day. Even private jets like theirs. Heyman is barely even dressed for TV, let alone has his make-up!

Pearce says those two were ready. Yeah, well, they got in on a different flight. But Roman Reigns is a chief of his word. Those two are already gone, out of the arena, and Pearce has Roman’s word. Call his bluff, put out a search party. Pearce knows Heyman is here on official business, which Heyman will handle, and then be gone. That is it. But when Heyman does his official business… everyone will be caught off guard. “And Mr. Pearce, sir, that’s not a prediction. That’s a spoiler.” The Wise Man heads out and calls Roman, but just what is Heyman teasing?

 

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers!

Unlike SmackDown’s mini-tournament, Raw and Adam Pearce say it’s win and you’re in! Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano want one more shot at Judgment Day, but so do Julius & Brutus! Will the Sicilian Psycho & Johnny Wrestling prove that when it comes to Mania Moments, you gotta do it yourself? Or will the Creeds be bringing golden tickets to the Diamond Mine?

Raw returns as The Creeds make their entrance. The teams fist bump to show respect, then the teams sort out. Julius starts against Ciampa, they circle and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, Ciampa goes for a waistlock but Julius facelocks. Julius wrangles Ciampa to the mat, flips him over, ONE, and Ciampa keeps moving. They trade facelocks, gator roll, and Julius gets another lateral press. ONE, but Julius gator rolls Ciampa around. Ciampa fights up, puts Julius on ropes, and the ref counts. Ciampa lets off, then CHOPS! Julius shoots in for the takedown! Julius has a leg, Ciampa fights but Julius turns him for the ANKLE LOCK!

Ciampa scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, and Julius lets off cleanly. Ciampa bails out, shakes it off, and he gets back in. They go again, Julius hits a fireman’s carry takeover! Tag to Brutus, and Julius feeds Ciampa to another fireman’s carry takeover! Brutus cording holds but Ciampa endures. Ciampa fights up, but Brutus facelocks. The fans rally as Brutus switches and rolls Ciampa. Ciampa fights up, headlocks, then ROCKS Brutus! Brutus DECKS Ciampa, then whips him to ropes. Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges, tag to Gargano! Ciampa slides, CHOPS, Gargano LARIATS and Ciampa JAWBREAKERS! Wrench and LARIAT!

Julius runs in, Gargano kicks and Ciampa gives him the boost for SLICED BREAD! The Creeds bail out, but DIY DOUBLE PLANCHA! Down go the Creeds, and DIY applaud and pat themselves on the back. The fans fire up and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Ciampa has Julius in a chinlock. The fans rally, Julius fights up to throw body shots, but Ciampa hits a back suplex! Julius lands out of it, but Ciampa elbows him away. Ciampa drop toeholds Julius, gets legs, but Julius BOOTS Ciampa away! Hot tags to Gargano and Brutus! Brutus rallies on DIY, TOSSES Gargano, then blocks Ciampa’s kick to get under and POWERBOMB him! Brutus sees DIY regroup, then he runs in to SPLASH them both! O’Conner on Ciampa, but Gargano runs up! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Brutus has a DOUBLE BRIDGE, TWO!! Tag to Julius and he gut wrench SLAMS Brutus on Ciampa!

Brutus helps Julius flip up and over to SPLASH onto Ciampa! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Julius drags Ciampa up. Ciampa throat chops! A bit dirty but Ciampa wants that win! Ciampa storms up on Julius, but Julius basement stalling suplexes!! The fans are thunderous, Gargano runs in, but Brutus intercepts! Brutus suplexes Gargano now, stalls, and then the Creeds SLAM and kip up! Then they both STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ciampa stays in this for DIY but the Creeds keep cool. Julius stomps Ciampa, tags Brutus, and they KNEE Ciampa around! Then they DOUBLE GUTBUSTER! Ciampa sputters but Brutus tags Julius in.

Julius drags Ciampa up, tags Brutus back in, and Brutus climbs. Julius Electric Chair Lifts, but Gargano makes the save! Gargano ROCKS Julius, Brutus ROCKS Gargano! Ciampa BOOTS Brutus, Gargano swings on Julius but is sent into Ciampa! Ciampa pushes Gargano back so he can ELBOW Julius! DIY set up again but Brutus stops the Sliced Bread! Julius DECKS Ciampa, KNEE into the WIDOWMAKER! Julius scrapes Gargano out, Brutus POUNCES Ciampa over the desk! Pat fires up with Brutus and so do the fans! The Creeds say they run this now, and then Brutus drags Ciampa up while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Julius has Ciampa in a chinlock. Ciampa fights up, and he JAWBREAKERS free! Ciampa ELBOWS Brutus down, BOOTS Julius, then runs up, only for Julius to catch him and toss him back! But then Ciampa catches Julius for a REVERSE DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down and crawling! Hot tag to Gargano! Gargano slingshots to KICK Julius, then he CLOBBERS Brutus! ENZIGIRI for Julius, then he runs to DOUBLE KNEE Brutus! BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! The fans fire up with Gargano while Julius ends up in another corner. Gargano runs in but is put on the apron!

Gargano GAMANGIRIS Julius, SUPERKICKS Brutus, then SLINGSHOT SPEARS Julius! Cover, TWO! Julius survives but Gargano puts him in a corner. Gargano CHOPS, then hoists Julius up top. Tag to Ciampa, Ciampa CHOPS Julius while Gargano DIVES onto Brutus! Ciampa CHOPS Julius again, goes up top, and fireman’s carries! Ciampa then tucks Julius in for the SUPER AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!! Julius survives again and shocks Ciampa! The fans are just as stunned, but Ciampa and Julius sit up. Ciampa stands, and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! Julius sits back up as Ciampa puts some stank on the CHOP!

Julius brings the straps down! Julius fires a forearm, Ciampa hits back, and the fans fire up as the shots keep going! They go faster and faster, harder and harder, meaner and meaner! The fans fire up as this just turns into a brawl of haymakers and SLAPS! Ciampa then gets around, ripcord and HAYMAKER! ROLLING- TACKLE from Julius! And then the ANKLE LOCK!! Ciampa reaches out, moves around, but Gargano runs up! Julius kicks him, then gets him up with one arm to POWERBOMB! Then it’s back to the ANKLE LOCK on Ciampa! Brutus gets in to get Gargano for an ANKLE LOCK of his own!

The fans are thunderous as DIY endures! Ciampa and Gargano fight, turn things over, SICILIAN CROSSFACE and GargaNO Escape!! The fans are thunderous as The Creeds power up and lift both DIY! They fireman’s carry, then TOSS DIY into each other!! The fans are thunderous as Julius goes up to MOONSAULT onto Ciampa! Brutus MOONSAULTS, too! Cover, TWO?!?! Ciampa survives and the fans are loving this! Julius tags back in, Brutus climbs up! “This is Awesome!” as Julius Electric Chair Lifts Ciampa! But Ciampa VICTORY ROLLS to get under the Brutus Ball!! Cover, Brutus tips it! Gargano TOSSES Brutus then SUPERKICKS Julius!! Ciampa has the cover, DIY WINS!!

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

Julius can’t believe it! He kicked out at 3.1, but a loss is a loss! And for the first time ever, DIY is going to Mania! Will Philadelphia soon be historic for a DIY championship victory?

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

Rhea Ripley is with Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor & JD McDonagh, but also Andrade. Dom says he’s always liked Andrade’s style, but things have changed since the last time he was in the WWE. The Judgment Day runs Raw now. Rhea says yeah, and they don’t extend invitations to just anyone. Judgment Day is very exclusive. JD says very exclusive. But if Andrade continues to impress them, they’ll see about making things happen. And Finn says he just heard that Andrade has a match next week, so the Judgment Day will be watching him. Sounds good. See you next week. But then in steps Damian Priest.

The Punisher says hello to El Idolo, and El Idolo says hello to Senor Dinero. Andrade heads out, will he quite literally win his way into the club? But as for Priest, Finn asks him what he was up to. Priest was getting a closer look at that DIY VS Creeds match. DIY won, but whatever, they can handle those guys. But JD, they thought he could handle Ricochet last week, and run the gauntlet, and then go to WrestleMania to bring even more gold back to Judgment Day. JD says he did he belonged in there. But also, he battered Ricochet, who got lucky at the end there. Right, Finn? Finn hesitates, and Rhea says Priest is right on this one.

Ricochet made a fool out of JD! A fool? Yes. A fool? Yes. That’s why tonight, Dom will make it right. Right, Dom? Yeah, Mami. Let’s go talk to Pearce to make it official. Dom & JD head out, and the others are confident Dom’s got this. But does he, though? Or will the One and Only have two wins over Judgment Day in as many weeks?

 

Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance!

The Poison Pixie certainly lived up to that name last week when she bullied Maxxine Dupri as part of beating her and Ivy Nile last week. Will Candice’s toxic tongue strike again? Or will the party not be stopped by her harsh vibes?

The teams sort out and Candice starts against Kayden. Candice rushes up, Kayden gets around and O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Kayden springboards to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Kayden stalks Candice, Candice ELBOWS her away then tags Indi. Kayden dodges Candice to SUPERKICK, but Indi BOOTS Kayden! Cover, TWO! Indi drags Kayden up, tags Candice back in, and they mug Kayden. Candice CLUBS away on Kayden, fires off furious fists, then covers. TWO, and Candice grows frustrated already. The fans rally, Candice steps up but Kayden avoids the senton! Tags to Katana and Indi! Katana blasts past Indi, comes back and BULLDOGS!

Katana keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS Indi to a corner! The fans fire up as Katana stomps away on Indi! Indi shoves Katana, Katana runs corner to corner to A-LIST LARIAT! Katana shoves Indi down, runs up, but into a back suplex! Katana lands out, but her leg jams! The ref and Kayden check, then the ref keeps Indi back. Indi says okay, and she stays by Candice. But Candice tags in to WRECK Kayden! And she SLAMS Katana’s leg into the post!! HALF CRAB and DEEP! Katana taps, Candice & Indi win!

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

Candice smiles and celebrates with Indi, but Indi doesn’t want to. Candice says a win is a win, but just what is going on in her toxic mind?

 

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

NC State fires up again as The American Nightmare walks down the ramp, and this time the fans can sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro then gets the mic. “In less than three weeks time, I will stand opposed for the second year in a row, in the main event, with the lights on brightest, I will challenge for the WWE Undisputed Championship, against the greatest champion in all of sports, The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. And this Friday on SmackDown, Roman and I are going to have a little conversation, if you will. But there are… complications. Factors, elements, combustible elements, namely… The Rock.”

Fans boo but Cody says The Rock took to Instagram on Friday, and followed it up with “extremely entertaining” concert. Too bad The Rock didn’t wanna be here tonight. Something Cody took from the Instagram post: The Rock referred to himself as “Our Favorite Heel.” A bit of an inside term, but we’re not dumb, we know that means he’s the “bad guy.” Cody has known Heels. Bobby Heenan, Arn Anderson, Michael Hayes, “Superstar” Billy Graham, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair! Fans “WOO~” and Cody says he doesn’t think The Rock is a Heel. He’s just an assh*le. The fans go nuts hearing that!

Cody doesn’t want Rock getting upset, he doesn’t want the “seven bucks team” to get upset, he doesn’t want anyone getting emotional. Cody knows how Rock feels about emotions, he poked fun at Cody tearing up at discussing “finishing the story” with good friend, Michael Cole. There’s no crying in pro-wrestling, Jimmy Dugan, we get it. But hasn’t The Rock been crying behind the scenes this whole time? Once that hashtag came out, once fans chanted something else, The Rock cried to his buddies on the TKO board and said “Hey, this is gonna be some good PR for The Rock! I need to save WWE!” God knows, look at this house. They sure needed “saving,” huh?

The fans cheer but Cody says Rock wanted great PR. Until it wasn’t. TKO said OMG yes, put on the Gucci shirt, get those muscles looking big. It’s because they are Yes People, they are enablers, they won’t dare tell The Rock like it is, so Cody’s going to. Cody tells The Rock, “You’re a lot of things. You’re a lot of wonderful things. You are the Braham Bull, you are The Great One.” Cody still has shoes with The Rock’s logo on it! The Rock is the only guy Cody honestly feels is a Mount Rushmore wrestler. But he is also a terrible salesman, a carny succubus, and for those who don’t get what that means, The Rock is “a whiny b*tch!”

Fans lose their minds again but Cody says The Rock has been convinced otherwise. But don’t think that for two seconds this locker room needs The Rock more than The Rock needs it! That’s a rule of wrestling, nobody is bigger than the business! And sure, Cody brought up his mom, so it is fair game for The Rock to use that. But Cody knows The Rock’s mom. Here’s what Cody will tell us about The Rock’s mom. She is a wonderful lady, salt of the earth, she helped Cody chop Kevin in a dark match. Cody has nothing but respect for The Rock’s mom, something The Rock should’ve echoed back towards Cody’s mom.

But see, The Rock was talking about whipping Cody, handing a bloody weight belt to Cody’s mom, and normally someone as powerful as The Rock, Mama Rhodes would tremble. But The Rock doesn’t know Cody’s mom. Cody was more scared than she was, because she ain’t scared of nothing. This is the same woman who once jumped out of her chair at a Willie Nelson concert and beat up an undercover cop! She ain’t afraid of The Rock! Cody has been asked, April 6th, biggest tag match of all time, Rock & Roman VS Cody & Seth. Seth Rollins, the World Heavyweight Champion, a man The Rock should respect because that man has carried The Rock’s company!

How will Cody get past that match? How will April 7th look? Will it be a fair fight? Cody can tell us honestly… He doesn’t know. Cody does not know if it will be Bloodline Rules or not. Hell, he might not #FinishTheStory. “But Dwayne… What do you know? How can you be so sure of your own self, right?” The Rock hasn’t been in the ring in real action in years! April 6th, the bell is gonna ring, and what happens then? Is The Rock gonna bring The Great One, the hero we all had growing up? Is he bringing that #BigDwayneEnergy? Or is it gonna be LDS, Little D*ck Syndrome?! The fans chant “L D S! L D S!”

Cody says The Rock has referred to himself as The Final Boss. Kudos for that nickname, maybe he really is that. Maybe Cody is too naive to see it. But at WrestleMania, Cody doesn’t think The Rock will be The Final Boss. At WrestleMania, he’s just Roman’s side chick. But then ladies and gentlemen, his name is Paul Heyman, and he serves as The Wise Man to Your Tribal Chief, the reigning! Defending! Undisputed! WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman… Reigns! And as Special Counsel to the Bloodline, Heyman is here to say to Cody that the ideals that Cody and Heyman share are far greater than the interests on which they conflict.

By example, don’t you hate it when someone comes out to demand an apology? Not that Cody’s done that, but Heyman is still going to do that. Heyman came out here with some “friends” of his, and he apologized. For a Wise Man, that was pretty freakin’ stupid. One: because it didn’t work. Two: because it was just dumb. And for that, Cody, to you and the fans, Heyman humbly apologizes. Cody says whoa, whoa, whoa. He didn’t ask for an apology, and he certainly knows Heyman wants permission to be in the ring. Heyman is a Hall of Famer starting this year, if he wants into the ring, be Cody’s guest.

Heyman thanks Cody for that but he’s fine on the apron. He carries with him a message from The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Talk about Heels… You may think of Heyman anything negative you want, and that might be understanding the obvious. Heyman is not trustworthy, but Roman is a chief of his word. Heyman assures that this Friday on SmackDown, Roman will be face to face with Cody. American Nightmare, Tribal Chief, challenger and champion. And when they are face to face, there will not be a single other member of The Bloodline in sight. Except for Heyman, but he is no physical threat.

Heyman holds the title belt, the beads, whispers things in Roman’s ear, such as his love and respect. But Cody has Roman’s word that if he shows up on SmackDown, Roman will show up alone. Cody says Roman shows up alone, no Bloodline outside of Heyman, it’s a deal. They good? Heyman has some jet lag, he forgot one little point. And don’t boo him, he’s talking to Cody! Cody says yes they’re booing, and he’s about to go full Homelander and rip Heyman’s throat out if he doesn’t get to the point. Fans like the reference. Heyman composes himself and says if Roman Reigns shows up alone this Friday on SmackDown, then Cody must show up to SmackDown alone, too.

Cody steps closer to Heyman and Heyman is a bit nervous. Cody tells Heyman, “Deal!” They shake hands, and Heyman smiles. The Wise Man negotiated a purely one-on-one meeting between his Tribal Chief and American Nightmare, but can we trust Heyman was telling the truth about Roman telling the truth?

 

Nia Jax speaks.

“You know what I’ve realized? Becky Lynch has never beaten me. And after tonight, she never will. Because after I break her face again, I will be taking her spot at WrestleMania. I will finish business with Rhea Ripley, and not only will I walk out the Last Woman Standing, but I will become Women’s World Champion.” The Irresistible Force is ready for the Big Time, but will she A-Nia-late her?

 

Cody Rhodes returns backstage.

And Jey says there he go! But real quick, Cody can’t be going to SmackDown alone. Cody says he gave them his word. But The Bloodline isn’t gonna play fair! They’re all gonna be there! If Cody needs Jey, Jeys’ got him. Cody hears that, but he knows what he’s dealing with. They shake hands and Jey heads out. Will Cody be able to have that fair, one-on-one meeting? Or does Jey have a point about The Bloodline?

 

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!

It seems Pearce agreed to the idea that Dirty Dom should try and clean up The Irish Ace’s mess. Will Dom be able to get revenge on Ricochet? Or will Ricochet be the One and Only person holding their head high tonight?

Raw returns and Dom has made his entrance. The bell rings, Dom and Ricochet circle, and they tie up. Ricochet waistlocks, Dom fights the lift and grabs ropes. The ref counts, Ricochet lets off, but Dom ELBOWS him away! Dom fires hands, soaks up the heat, then storms up, but into haymakers! Ricochet CHOPS, kicks then flexes on Dom. Ricochet whips, Dom reverses, but Ricochet goes up and over. Ricochet ducks ‘n’ dodges to then handspring back elbow! The fans fire up while Dom bails out! JD is there to coach Dom up, but Ricochet runs in! JD gets Dom to safety, but Ricochet handsprings to hero land!

The fans fire up, Ricochet then goes to ropes to TORNILLO PLANCHA! Direct hit on Dom and Ricochet tells JD to back off. Ricochet puts Dom in, Dom distracts the ref, but JD grabs Ricochet’s leg! Ricochet kicks JD away, but then Dom WRECKS Ricochet with a dropkick! Dom soaks up the heat and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Dom has Ricochet up top. Dom climbs but Ricochet throws body shots! The fans rally behind Ricochet as he sends Dom staggering. Ricochet hops down as Dom comes running back, and Ricochet GAMANGIRIS him away! Ricochet then springboards, but Dom trips him up! Ricochet flops to the mat, then Dom kicks and FACEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Ricochet is still in this and JD argues the count. Dom looms over Ricochet, scuffs him around, then mockingly cheers him on. Fans boo but Dom brings Ricochet up. Dom gives some Latino Heat, then suplexes! Uno Amigo, but fans boo.

Dom gets Ricochet up but Ricochet suplexes Dom instead! And then fireman’s carry, DYNAMITE KICK! Cover, TWO! Dom is still in this and JD coaches him but the fans rally for Ricochet. Ricochet stands, storms up on Dom, but Dom shoots around to roll him up! With tights! TWO, Ricochet blocks a kick and KICKS Dom down! Ricochet hurries up top, the fans fire up, but Ricochet has to bail out of the 450 as Dom moves! Dom runs in again, but into a SUPERKICK! JD gets on the apron, so Ricochet triangle jump DROPKICKS! But then Dom DROPKICKS Ricochet onto ropes! Dom dials it up but Ricochet ducks!

Dom spins around, into the RECOIL!! Cover, Ricochet wins!

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

But then JD runs in! Ricochet dodges, goes up and around, BOOTS JD away, then BOOTS him again! Ricochet even flips up and out of the ring at the same time! Ricochet gets the better of Judgment Day again, just how disappointed is Mami going to be in her Latino Heat this time?

 

Sami Zayn is backstage.

He finds Chad Gable and wants to talk with him. Last week’s match, that was an honor. Sami hasn’t been pushed like that in a long time, it could’ve gone either way. Gable says yeah, it was great. Thanks. Is Gable alright? Yeah, he’s fine. Kinda feels like not… Gable says he’s fine, so leave it at that. C’mon, man, how many years have they known each other? Sami knows when something’s bothering Gable, so he should just say it. Gable says look, last week, the WrestleMania opportunity, the whole thing, it just meant more to him. Sami says he’s been hearing Gable say that for weeks, and it is really unfair.

Does Gable really think he’s the only one this title opportunity matters to? Sami has a family, too! Sami’s kid cries when Papa loses a match, too. Sami has people he’s let down and is trying to make proud. After all the years put into this, Gable can’t tell Sami what matters more because he doesn’t know Sami like that. Gable has Sami calm down, and says he knows all that. But it isn’t all about that. Then what is all this? Gable says Sami can’t beat Gunther. Gable then leaves, and Sami is at a loss for words. Is this bitter side of Gable only going to get worse as we go down this Road to WrestleMania?

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

Raw returns with the GM by a table, and he welcomes us to a contract signing to make official the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship for WrestleMania! The fans cheer, and Pearce introduces first, the challenger, Sami Zayn! The Great Liberator makes his entrance and the fans sing along with his song. Sami still looks troubled by what Gable said just moments ago, but he still high-fives fans and gets in the ring. Then Pearce introduces the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time, Der Ring General, GUNTHER! The fans boo as Gunther walks in, having reached Day 647!

Gunther smiles as Sami watches him make his way down the ramp and into the ring. Pearce says we know how this works, but Gunther says before we proceed, let us call this what it is: the most important contract signing for the most important match in the history of this championship. And why, why, why is the challenger dressed no better than any of the bums in the audience? Fans boo but Sami just shrugs that off. Sami gets a mic to say that Gunther keeps sitting there all smug, and it’s really starting to piss Sami off. Gunther thinks this is just another day at the office, that he’ll steamroll through Sami like any other contender.

But with all respect to Gunther, he really has. He has beaten everyone that has come his way, and has done it on his own. Gunther doesn’t believe Sami can do it. A lot of people didn’t believe Sami at many points in his career. They didn’t believe he’d even make it to WWE, let alone win championships and main event a WrestleMania. And if you ask The Usos, they didn’t believe Sami would be one of the guys to end the longest tag title reign in WWE history, but he did! And one year later, he will make history again by ending the longest Intercontinental title reign in WWE history! Sami signs his part and pushes the contract over to Gunther.

The fans cheer Sami on but Gunther waits it out. Gunther tells Sami, what Sami should do is listen to his new friend, Gable. Gable doesn’t believe Sami can win. The people here cheer Sami, they probably even love Sami. But even they don’t believe Sami can win. And y’know, when Gunther looks Sami in the eyes, and if Sami was honest with himself, even Sami doesn’t believe he can win. So what Sami is doing right now is standing on Gunther’s doorstep and begging him to get the beating of a lifetime on the Grandest Stage of Them All! So whatever Sami has to do, from training to believing, just keep doing that. Because at WrestleMania, Sami’s dreams will meet reality.

Gunther grins and signs his part, and it is now official! Gunther then stands, title on his shoulder, and takes his leave. The fans boo, but then Sami tells Gunther to wait. Gunther steps back inside to hear Sami as Sami turns around. Gunther looks in Sami’s eyes and believes Sami doesn’t believe? Sami stands to get in Gunther’s face and dares him to look again. Get a good long look, because these are the eyes of the man who will take you down at Mania! The fans fire up, and now Sami leaves first. Gunther still just grins, but will Sami use a Helluva Kick to wipe that smile off his face?

We follow Sami as he storms backstage, right past DIY and The Awesome Truth. Truth asks what’s up with Sami, but The Miz says that is the mindset of WrestleMania right there. That’s what they need. DIY wishes Awesome Truth luck. Awesome Truth knows DIY is into the ladder match, and they are gonna have their own qualifier. Miz & Truth just need to beat… Indus Sher. Jinder Mahal tells Veer & Sanga to warm up for the match. They head out, and Truth says he feels sorry for whoever has to face those guys. Miz stares at Truth, and he has DIY hold off. Miz will explain. The Awesome Truth heads to gorilla, their match is next!

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Awesome Truth VS Indus Sher w/ Jinder Mahal!

Miz wants a remix of the theme song but Truth says to just follow his lead. NC State knows what’s up, but will the Awesome Truth finally reach the top of the tag division 13 years after they first teamed? We’ll see, after the break!

Raw returns as Indus Sher makes their entrance, the Modern Day Maharaja by their side. The teams sort out and Truth starts against Sanga. The fans echo “WHAT’S UP?!” but Sanga roars! Truth is scared now so he tags Miz. Truth fires Miz up, Miz runs up and dodges Sanga to fire off haymakers! Miz kicks, whips, but Sanga blocks! Sanga whips and CLOBBERS Miz! Jinder nods as Sanga then scoops Miz and brings him over. Veer tags in, Sanga SLAMS Miz, then Veer ELBOW DROPS! Indus Sher say “NAMASTE!” but the fans say “WHAT’S UP!?” with Truth. Veer HIP DROPS Miz, then looms over him.

Veer eggs Miz on, drags him up with shoulder claws, and then steps over Miz for the neck wrench! Miz endures as Veer still digs a claw into his shoulder. The fans rally for Miz, Miz fights up and throws body shots! Miz reaches out but Veer knees low! Veer SHOVES Miz to the corner, runs in, but Miz BOOTS! Miz ELBOWS Sanga, but Veer catches him! Veer puts Miz back int he corner, but Miz ducks the boot to tag Truth! Truth dodges Veer and starts up the shoulder tackles! Truth gets around Veer to SPIN-OUT BOMB! The fans fire up as Truth shouts out Cena with “You Can’t See Me!” Truth runs to Five Knuckle Shuffle!

Jinder is not happy now as Truth fireman’s carries! But Veer slips free! Truth drop toeholds to the STF!! The fans fire up but Sanga stomps Truth! Miz fires off kicks on Sanga, then body shots! Truth joins in, they mug and whip Sanga, to DOUBLE DROPKICK! Sanga staggers around, Veer runs up, but into a full nelson! Truth and Miz combine for a SKULL CRUSHING LIE DETECTOR!! But Sanga whips Miz away! Miz WRECKS Jinder with it, but Sanga runs up! Sanga knocks Miz down, Miz anchors Sanga, Sanga ELBOWS Truth, Truth falls onto Veer for the cover! Awesome Truth wins!!

Winners: The Awesome Truth, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

The fans fire up, and Truth doesn’t even realize what happened! Miz celebrates with Truth and Truth puts it together! They’re now one of the six in the ladder match! Will this combination of teamwork and luck be just what they need to take those titles from Judgment Day?

 

Sami confronts Gable now.

Sami tells Gable to tell him why. Why what? Why does Gable think Sami can’t beat Gunther? Well you just saw why! With Gunther, it isn’t just physical, it is mental. Sami made his career out of being the underdog that crawls his way out of any hole he’s in, right? Just like last week! Sami found the window of opportunity to get out of a bad situation any time he can. Gunther’s on a different level! You gonna sit and wait for that window to appear? It doesn’t happen with Gunther! He’s a different beast, a different animal. If Sami doesn’t change his mentality, then he can’t beat Gunther. Gable leaves Sami with a lot to think again. Is there a way Sami can change enough to defeat Der Ring General?

 

CM Punk speaks.

“Do I plan at being in WrestleMania? WrestleMania is in Philadelphia, what’re the first four letters in Philadelphia? Phil. You can’t have WrestleMania Philadelphia without Phil. Whether I’m invited or uninvited, Punk will be there.” And next week in Chicago, Punk returns to Raw! Will the Second City Saint find a way to be part of the biggest WrestleMania ever?

 

Drew McIntyre is here!

The Scottish Terminator, or as his new shirt says, “The Savior of WrestleMania,” makes his way to the ring, NC State a bit torn about seeing him. But then Seth Rollins is here, too!? McIntyre is upset but the fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as The Visionary struts his way out. Rollins swaggers right past McIntyre in his green storm pattern suit, and steps into the ring first. McIntyre frowns as he follows Rollins in, and sits in a corner. The fans continue to sing, which Rollins revels in for a moment. Rollins has the mic to then say, “RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA~! Welcome to Monday Night Rollins~!

“And Drew, hah, sorry, I didn’t even see you there. I was too busy, uh, y’know, soaking up the spotlight, right?” McIntyre has a mic to say, “Alright, here we go.” Here goes what, Drew? McIntyre says no, no, get it all out of your system, he knows Rollins has more! McIntyre can stay in the back while Rollins enjoys the spotlight, because after WrestleMania, that spotlight’s all McIntyre’s. Hey, hey, c’mon. Rollins is here with an honest cause. Rollins doesn’t like McIntyre, he thinks he’s stupid, a hypocrite, has said a lot of dumb things lately, but Rollins is here to admit that one thing McIntyre said is absolutely right and he wants to say it to McIntyre’s face, right here in Raleigh, in front of the fine people.

Now, they always say the first step to recovery is the hardest, so bare with Rollins. He has been working on this all week, but… “My name is Seth Freakin’ Rollins, and I’m a spotlight junkie.” The fans chant “Spotlight Junkie!” and also sing, but McIntyre says everything is just a joke to Rollins, isn’t it? Look at Rollins! He’s a parody of himself at this point. But honestly, McIntyre doesn’t care. He tried reasoning, he gave the answers, and now he only cares about their match and the world title. And you wanna know the real punchline, funny man? “What?” McIntyre says they say that because they’re happy McIntyre sidelined Punk, thanks for remembering!

But the punchline is when McIntyre beats Rollins for that title. The fans chant for “C M PUNK!” but McIntyre says don’t be ridiculous. Punk’s waiting until next week to return because he’d never show up in a place like Raleigh. The fans boo but McIntyre says see, they’re booing Punk! Punk is only getting off his couch to be at his local arena. Rollins tells McIntyre to shut up already. Oh, seems McIntyre got Rollins’ attention. Rollins takes off the sunglasses to say yeah, McIntyre has his attention. Because this isn’t a joke! When Rollins says he is a junkie, it isn’t a joke! He’s been doing this for 20 YEARS! Just like McIntyre!

And every time Rollins comes out of the curtain, that’s his fix. And it gets better and better every single time. Rollins comes out here, lays it all on the line, and it just gets better and better! When he hears the fans sing the song so loud, Rollins can barely speak, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” That’s Rollins’ fix! That is the spotlight he craves, and y’know what? Rollins wants the spotlight as bright as it can possibly be. So yeah, McIntyre’s been busy online entertaining people with memes, so he hasn’t been listening to Rollins. So Rollins will get this through McIntyre’s thick skull: Night One, Rollins takes the biggest star in Hollywood and his side chick, and makes them his b*tches!

Then on Night Two, the biggest spotlight possible will be shined down on McIntyre and Rollins and the World Heavyweight Championship! McIntyre says all hail the savior, Seth Rollins! This is what McIntyre wanted! The passion and desire, not the stupid laughing and dancing. Rollins had McIntyre all the way to the finish. Rollins has done this 20 years, just like McIntyre. They’ve given their lives to this industry, and that is what the title is about! The wrestlers’ title, the workhorse championship! Rollins had McIntyre with him until he mentioned the bigger spotlight and how Rollins pins one of the biggest stars in the world.

Why can’t it just be about Rollins’ hard work to make that title, and all of McIntyre’s hard work to get this chance? Why can’t that be the reason they’re getting the biggest spotlight!? Rollins has had his priorities all backwards, McIntyre has been giving him all the answers. McIntyre said he is over the BS, and all he cares about is Rollins making it to the ring on Night Two. And if Rollins can’t walk, then McIntyre will wheel him down. If not, McIntyre will carry Rollins down. At Mania, McIntyre doesn’t get the moment he deserves. He gets the moment he has bloody EARNED. The fans do cheer that!

Rollins smirks and says, “Ah, Drew. There it is. That’s right, you wanna call me a spotlight junkie, but you want the spotlight just as bad as I do, don’t you? You’re an addict, just like I am. And you’ve been begging for spotlight for the past four years, because you won the WrestleMania main event. You did, back in 2020, in an empty warehouse. And all we’ve been hearing from Drew McIntyre for the past four years was how that wasn’t good enough. You’ve been whining and complaining and bitching and moaning that you deserve better, that you deserve more. The problem is, Drew, when everybody came back around, and the lights got bright again, what happened? You fumbled the ball.

“And that’s the difference between you and me. When the lights are the brightest, I shine, baby. I shine bright. And at WrestleMania 40, the lights are gonna be as bright as they have ever been. And you are gonna find out you are not as good as you think you are.” Rollins drops the mic, but this time McIntyre smirks. The verbal battle continues, but who will put their money where their mouth is once this one finally happens?

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

“I’m a wanted woman, and I don’t even have the title. Yet. But we’re less than three weeks away from WrestleMania, so why would I risk it all? Because I don’t know anything else. All I know is taking risks. All I know is fighting. And all I know is tonight, I’m gonna be the Last Woman Standing.” Becky is fired up to finally do what she hasn’t done in the most extreme way possible. Will she be the immovable object to Nia’s irresistible force?

 

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy!

Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods have been W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~, but they’ve never been a part of a title match as big as this Six Pack Ladder challenge! Will they look to be part of history once again? Or will Akira Tozawa & Otis say “A THANK YEW~!” for this golden opportunity?

Raw returns as the Academy makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Woods starts against the tree trunk, Otis. The fans rally for “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Otis and Woods tie up, but Woods kicks low then headlocks. Otis powers up and out then runs Woods over! Otis storms up on Woods, GUT RAMS him back down, then brings him back up. Otis GUT RAMS Woods again, then runs to CLOBBER Woods! Otis swivels his hips, the fans echo “Oh~ yeah!” Otis tags Tozawa and the Academy mugs Woods. Tozawa brings Woods around but Woods CHOPS! Woods tags Kofi, he and Kofi double whip Tozawa but Tozawa holds ropes!

Tozawa fires hands, dodges Woods then BOOTS Woods down! Kofi kicks low, whips Tozawa to a corner, but Tozawa BOOTS Kofi away! Tozawa goes up to FLYING RANA! The fans fire up as Tozawa sees New Day regroup outside. Tozawa runs to DIVE! Direct hit on both New Day, and Otis joins in for “A THANK YEW~!” The Academy stands tall as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Tozawa fights a chinlock. Tozawa reaches for Otis but Woods back suplexes. Tozawa lands out to then DROPKICK Woods down! The fans rally as Woods and Tozawa crawl, hot tags to Otis and Kofi! Otis CLOBBERS Kofi, CLOBBERS him again, then whips him to ropes. WRECKER ELBOW! Woods runs in, Otis dodges, to LARIAT! Otis sees Kofi leap off the corner, and catches him for a WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! Otis rips the shirt off, winds up the hips, and then starts up the CATERPILLAR! ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Kofi survives but Otis hurries to step on him! Tag to Tozawa, and Otis goes up!

Otis VADER BOMBS but FLOPS as Kofi moves! Tozawa hurries up top while Kofi SUPERKICKS Otis! Kofi turns around into the CROSSBODY from Tozawa! Cover, TWO! Tozawa SUPERKICKS Kofi but Woods tags in! Woods GAMANGIRIS Tozawa, then steps in to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Tozawa toughs it out but Woods grits his teeth as he goes to the corner. Woods climbs, but Tozawa rises! Tozawa throws body shots, Woods CLUBS Tozawa! Tozawa throws more hands and climbs up! The fans rally as they brawl up top! Tozawa brings Woods up but Woods fights the lift! Woods throws body shots in return!

Woods shifts position to get under Tozawa for a fireman’s carry! But then Tozawa pops up to SUPER STEINER!! Tozawa rips off his shirt, climbs back up top, SUPER SENTON!! Cover, Kofi breaks it! The fans fire up but Otis drags Kofi out! Otis whips Kofi at steps, Kofi goes up and jumps off the steps to TORNADO DDT to the floor! Kofi hurries back up to the apron but Tozawa SCREW HIGH KICKS him down! Tozawa dodges Woods, pop-up, but Woods blocks the rana to then SPINNING POWERBOMB! Woods sees the WrestleMania sign, hurries up the corner, and he tightrope walks! LIMIT BREAK ELBOW!! Cover, New Day wins!

Winners: The New Day, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

The New Day are the ones saying A THANK YEW~ as they put their names down for the Six Pack Ladder Match! Will they once again climb to the top of the WWE Tag Team Division and bring home those championships?

 

Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.

Becky asks if she’ll have to watch out for Liv as well. Well, you should always #WatchMe, but no, not tonight. Nia is all Becky’s. Liv just wants Becky to kick Nia’s ass. Liv leaves, will Becky kick ass and then some?

 

Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.

Rollins finds him and brings up Friday. One on one? One on one. Rollins nods and says he loves Pharaoh’s bandanna. The Visionary trusts the American Nightmare can handle himself, but will we be able to trust The Tribal Chief?

 

Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!

From the origins of “The Man” in WWE to the aftermath of Elimination Chamber: Perth, these two have battled, but never as brutally as this! They’re able to go anywhere and do anything, but who will be the Last Woman Standing this close to WrestleMania 40?

The bell rings and the two rush in! Becky DROPKICKS Nia and Nia goes to a corner. Becky runs in but Nia puts Becky on the apron. Becky ROCKS Nia, goes up a corner, then leaps to MISSILE DROPKCIK! Nia stumbles and tumbles out of the ring, so Becky WRECKS her with another dropkick! Becky then goes to the apron for a FLYING FOREARM! Nia stays up, Becky tries again, but Nia dodges! Fireman’s carry and Nia POSTS Becky, to then SAMOAN DROP her into barriers! The ref counts as Becky is down, but she stands at 4 of 10. Nia CLOBBERS Becky and wants the count! The count climbs but Nia is impatient.

Nia clears off the desk, Becky stands at 5 of 10, and she leans against barriers. Becky comes back with body shots and haymakers, but Nia ROCKS her with a forearm! Becky staggers away as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Becky is bringing out a table! The fans fire up as Becky sets that up ringside. There’s been a lot of chaos during the break according to commentary, from chairs to kendo sticks to even a copy of Becky’s book, The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl! But Nia storms over to stop Becky and SMACK her off the desk! Nia puts Becky in the ring, takes that table for her own and sets it up. The table doesn’t cooperate and fans boo, but Nia goes for chairs instead. She slides those in the ring, Becky manages to stand at 7 of 10, and she grabs at those chairs. Nia ditches the table, it just doesn’t wanna work.

Nia storms in but Becky JAMS her with a chair, SMACKS her with it, then clinches! Nia fights the slam, fireman’s carries Becky, and FULL METAL SAMOAN DROPS!! Becky writhes from hitting chairs but Nia looms over her. Nia soaks up the heat as she counts along. Becky flounders to ropes and drags herself up at 7! Nia sits a chair up, fans want a table, but Nia scoops Becky. Becky slips around to a SLEEPER! Nia RAMS Becky into buckles again and again until Becky lets go. But then Becky BULLDOGS Nia off the chair! Nia is down for the count now, and Becky leans against ropes to stay up herself.

Nia stirs at 5, stands at 8, but Becky is up top! Becky leaps, into a CHAIR SHOT! Nia SMACKS Becky again and again and again! The fans boo but Nia finally stops. Nia puts that chair aside and goes out to get some kendo sticks! Nia puts those in, but Becky grabs one! Nia snatches it from her to SMACK! And SMACK! And SMACK! Becky sputters and staggers, Nia clinches and scoops! Nia SLAMS Becky onto chairs! Then Nia runs to drop the leg, brother! Nia wants the count and the count begins! Becky sputters as we reach 5 of 10. Becky grabs that kendo stick but Nia SMACKS Becky with a chair! And again!

Nia kicks Becky around, then uses the chair to take a seat on Becky’s body!! The fans boo as the count begins, but Becky SMACKS Nia with the kendo stick! And again and again and again, even in the butt! Nia stands up, into more shots! Becky stands and she fires away until Nia scurries out of the ring! Becky pursues but Nia CLOBBERS her! Nia pulls the steel steps apart now, and takes that top half to RAM Becky down! Becky flounders, Nia hauls her up and puts her in the ring. Becky’s on the apron and Nia takes aim! Nia runs up, APRN LEG DROP only gets apron! Becky avoids disaster, then has Nia by the steps! DDT onto the steel!

Nia is down again and the count begins. Nia stirs at 5 of 10, sits up at 6, but Becky SMACKS her off steps! Nia falls over again and the count resets. Becky hurries to go looking for things while Nia rises again. Becky has a new table! The fans fire up as Becky gets that in the ring. Nia stands at 7, staggers after Becky, and Raw goes back to break.

Raw returns once again and Nia mugs Becky against barriers! Nia puts Becky on a table, and surprise! There’s a ladder set up now! Nia climbs the ladder?! She also demands Pat support the ladder. But Becky gets off the table so now Nia has no reason to be up there. Nia storms after Becky, but gets a FIRE EXTINGUISHER BLAST!! The fans fire up as Becky cools Nia off, then JAMS her with the canister! Becky puts Nia in the ring, and there’s a table waiting in a corner! Becky lines up the shot, and runs in, but Nia SAMOAN DROPS Becky through the table!!! Both women are down in the wreckage and the count begins!

Nia flounders away from the wreckage but she still needs to stand. Nia is up at 5, and she isn’t satisfied with this! She drags Becky all the way to another corner and puts her in the drop zone! Nia climbs up, for the A-NIA-LATOR!! Nia shouts for the count, the count begins, and Nia storms around as she points to the Mania sign. Becky is still down at 5 of 10, only starts stirring at 7, and she slumps out of the ring to stand up! Nia is furious, goes out after Becky, and kicks things aside to keep after her. Nia asks if Becky’s vision is blurry. Nia fireman’s carries Becky up the steel steps and along the apron, aiming for that other table!

The fans freak out but Becky fights with elbows! Becky CLUBS away on Nia and the fans are thunderous! Becky then clinches, for a MANHANDLE SLAM through the table!!! Both women are down int he wreckage again, and the count begins! Becky sits up at 4 while fans are still losing their minds! We pass 5 of 10, then 7! Nia sits up at 8 and stands at 9! But then she slumps back over! The count starts again, Nia flounders around and stands at 5. Becky goes up the ladder! Becky sees Nia approaching the desk, and then SUPER MAN’S LEG DROP through the desk!!! The fans lose their minds again while both men are down in more wreckage!

The count is 5 of 10! Becky flounders and crawls, drags herself up at 9, but Nia is still down! BECKY WINS!!

Winner: Becky Lynch

The Man conquers truly one of the most intense challenges in her career! But then here comes one of the most intense champions! The fans fire up as Rhea Ripley makes her way out, Women’s World Championship in hand. She goes right to the ring and looks at Becky. Rhea “congratulates” Becky for winning, but then Becky gets in Rhea’s face! The fans fire up, and now there are no obstacles in the way of Mami VS The Man! Who will be the champion after WrestleMania 40?


My Thoughts:

A great Raw right here, though the in-ring action kinda dipped down until that awesome Last Woman Standing main event. This is one of the times I wish they’d done picture in picture so we as the TV audience could see even more action. Great win for Becky, of course, but I also like that Becky had a moment with Liv just before, and of course she had a moment with Rhea to close out the night. Great promos with Sami and Gable that also blended into the contract signing from tonight. And I suppose Gable has a point that Sami, the comeback kid, can’t do that when Gunther has an arsenal of moves that would be “finishers” given all the different ways Gunther has won over the years.

And speaking of that contract signing segment, I really liked the segue they did in following Sami so that he’d cross paths with Awesome Truth at gorilla and we’d get their segment going into their match. WWE has been doing some really creative stuff in this newest era where Vince is truly out and apparently even Kevin Dunn has moved on. Awesome Truth had a really fun but also really quick tag match with Indus Sher, and then New Day VS Alpha Academy was solid stuff, but DIY VS Creeds was such an awesome match. For a moment, I thought Creeds were gonna take this one but DIY still found a way, and I like that DIY is in. Honestly, I’m liking that the HHH favorites are getting in, because we also have New Catch Republic on the other side that can still win into the match.

Judgment Day had good stuff tonight, too. Good group promo with Andrade to tease El Idolo possibly joining, but who knows if he does. Depends on how things go for Priest. He was watching the qualifiers, he’s not worried, but maybe he should be. Granted, he still has the MITB briefcase, he could go from losing the tag titles to taking the world title, who knows how the Judgment Day’s story is going to go as we move past Mania. Dom VS Ricochet was a really good match, and Ricochet winning was the right move to keep this feud going. I think there’s going to be Ricochet VS McDonagh next week as a rematch from the gauntlet, that’ll be great stuff, too.

Candice’s Heel turn slow burn continues as she takes advantage of the “hurt” leg. Indi also does a good job of being very conflicted about this. There’s a WWE YouTube exclusive where Ivy Nile confronts Candice so that’ll be a match, and then maybe when Candice again goes too far, Indi steps in and we get a match of Candice VS Indi at some point. Good little update promo from CM Punk, he’ll have a great homecoming moment in Chicago, but also probably McIntyre coming after him. McIntyre had a great promo segment with Rollins, and with all these continued moments where the other person gets the mic drop moment, it feels like McIntyre has to win the title.

And of course, great stuff with the Bloodline story even on Raw. Jey and Jimmy have great promos in their confrontation, and of course it turns into a brawl. Good segue from that to Heyman being here, and Heyman confronting Cody during Cody’s great promo segment. Cody really went off on The Rock, that was some wild stuff. But the supposed promise of “one on one and no one else aside from Heyman” might be kept, and we get a strong promo segment on SmackDown in a foreshadowing of the fair-and-square 1v1 match. Or it is a trap and that’s more a foreshadowing of Bloodline Rules where they can do whatever they want. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

My Score: 8.9/10


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Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/18/24)

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

Cold Skull faces The Fierce Warrior, and Gene Blast faces The King of Darkness, and when the smoke clears, we will have our New Japan Cup finalists!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Boltin Oleg & Shoma Kato VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Mikey Nicholls; ZSJ & Mikey win.
  • Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Tomohiro Ishii & Togi Makabe VS Just5Guys; Just5Guys win.
  • Tanga Loa & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman; Loa & Taguchi win.
  • Six Man Tag: YOSHI-HASHI, Toru Yano & Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
  • 8 Man Tag: Shota Umino, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & YOH VS The House of Torture; Shota, ELP, Leo & Yoh win.
  • Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; LIJ wins.
  • 2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL; Tsuji wins and advances to the finals.
  • 2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto; Goto wins and advances to the finals.

PLAY BY PLAY

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

The Gene Blast overcame the tricks Ren Narita tried, but that’s because the House of Torture was saving all the good stuff so they could slay the Rampaging Dragon. Will the deck be even more stacked to make sure Everything is Evil’s? Or will Yota be one step away from LIJ VS LIJ at Sakura Genesis?

Well, Dick is making his way out here, but where is Evil? Oh, there he is. No tricks just yet it seems. But then Yota DIVES onto Evil! The fans fire up but Dick attacks Yota! Dick whips, Yota stops himself, and then scoops Dick for a BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Yota wants the bell. The ref says yes, ring the bell, and this is on the record! Yota stomps and CLUBS Evil, then whips, but Evil reverses! Yota hits railing, and then Evil whips him into more railing! Evil CHOKES Yota against the railing, Yota fights back, but the ref gets knocked aside! Evil puts Yota in so he and Dick can stomp away!

The fans boo but here comes the rest of the House already! Narita, Yujiro, Kanemaru and Jack all stomp away on Yota, but here come Bushi & Hiromu! It’s a replay of yesterday as LIJ fights off the House, but the numbers are still against them! The ref rushes in to tell everyone to stop! Evil shoves the ref out of the ring, Yota fires off on him, but Evil CLAWS Yota’s eyes! The House CHOKES LIJ, but the ref says stop! The bell rings, but what is the decision!? NO CONTEST!?

No Contest

What does this mean!? Someone has to advance, right? The finals aren’t until the 20th, how can there be a no contest? The House started this, where’re the consequences?! Yota gets up but Evil TOSSES him back out! LIJ regroups and Yota asks for a mic. Yota tells Evil that he’s sick and tired of this! They ARE gonna finish this match! The fans like the sound of that! All the refs come out, including Red Shoes, to discuss how this will be handled. For starters, they tell all the extras to get outta here! LIJ is cool with that, and Hiromu tells the House to come along. Evil says fine, and Jack, Kanemaru, Narita, Yujiro and even Dick reluctantly exit.

The announcement is officially made, and the bell rings! Yota and Evil rush in, Evil kicks low but Yota CLUBS away on Evil! Evil CLAWS the eyes! Evil kicks, runs, RAMS, but Yota rebounds to run Evil over! Then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Yota fires up and the fans are with him! Evil bails out but the fans rally for Yota. Evil wants Yota to stay back, then he slides in, only to slide right out! Yota runs out after Evil, but Evil kicks him! Evil RAMS Yota into the timekeeper! Abe-san and his table go flying! Evil gets the mic to tell Yota that this is what he gets! The fans boo but Evil tells them off, too! Evil stomps Yota then soaks up the heat.

Evil unties the blue buckle pad himself, then waits in the ring. The ref checks Yota and the fans rally up again. The Young Lions help Abe-san while Yota drags himself up. Yota slides in, the fans cheer, but Evil pulls on Yota’s hair! Evil wrenches the hair, then wrenches it again! And again! Evil CLUBS the hair! The ref reprimands but Evil just dusts off his hands. Evil covers, but the ref refuses to count! Evil is furious but he’s the one up to no good! The ref still says no, so Evil stands on Yota’s head. The fans rally up, Yota rises, and he grins as he winds up to ROCK Evil with a forearm! And ROCK him with another!

Yota ROCKS Evil again, but Evil whips him into the bare buckles! Yota falls and the ref reprimands about the missing buckle pad. Evil stomps Yota, covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Evil is annoyed. Evil scuffs Yota, taunts him, and drags him up. Evil CHOPS, Yota drops to his knees, but Evil stands him back up. Evil CHOPS again and Yota grits his teeth as he drops to his knees! Evil stands Yota up again, to fake the chop to CLAW the eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil lets off, and then Evil stands on Yota in a corner. The ref counts, Evil lets go of the ropes but that’s not the problem! Evil steps away, drags Yota up but claims he’s dead weight.

The ref checks, Evil stands Yota up and wrenches an arm. Evil whips Yota into a corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Evil runs in again, blocks the boot, but Yota brings Evil in for the STOMP! The fans fire up while Yota rests on the mat. The fans rally up and Yota rises again. Evil’s in the corner, runs out, but into the BACKBREAKER! COMPLETE SHOT! STOMP! The fans fire up again as Yota stands back up. Yota runs, to CURB STOMP!! Yota roars and the fans fire up again! Evil flounders while Yota aims. Yota runs in, but the ref is used as a shield! Evil kicks Yota low, then uses the ref in MAGIC KILLER!

All three men are down while the fans rally up again. Evil stands, he brings Yota up, and the ref also rises. Evil whips Yota into the bare buckles, then clotheslines him in! Then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, but Evil lets off?! Evil wants to torture Yota but it’s hard to say if Yota is still even in this. Yota opens his eyes, rises up, but Evil fireman’s carries! DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives, the fans fire up, but Evil is furious! Evil slashes his throat and vows to end this now! Evil drags Yota up, spins him around, but Yota fights the STO with elbows! Evil kicks low, whips again, but Yota stops from hitting buckles!

Evil runs in, Yota dodges and Evil hits the buckles! SUPERKICK!! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! We’re only ten minutes into this new match but this is on top of the madness from earlier. Evil drags Yota up, but Yota ROCKS Evil! Evil fights Yota’s fireman’s carry and CLUBS him, but both men wobble. Evil LARIATS, but Yota stays up! The fans fire up but Evil swings to LARIAT again! Yota drops to a knee, but he grins through the pain! Evil says alright, and he throws off his elbow pad. Evil runs to LARIAT! Yota grits his teeth to stay up! V-TRIGGER! Yota brings Evil in, suplexes, ORANGE CRUSH! Cover, TWO!!

Evil is still in this but the fans rally behind Yota again. Yota rises, drags Evil up, and then goes to the corner. Yota goes up and up and Evil moves the ref into the way! The ref takes the FLYING CURB STOMP!!! And now the House returns! The fans boo as Kanemaru, Dick, Yujiro, Narita & Jack all stomp away on Yota again! The fans tell them to go home, again, but these guys don’t care! They just put one out on Yota. They whip Yota to a corner, then DIck runs in to ELBOW! Kanemaru ELBOWS! Yujiro BOOTS! Jack SPLASHES! Narita ELBOWS! Then they snapmare and set Yota up! Dick climbs for the DICK CHOP!!

The fans boo but the House applauds their own dirtiness. But here come Bushi & Hiromu again! But they just get mugged again! They set Hiromu up for the DICK CHOP, while Bushi gets a JACK CHOP! The House then slithers away before a replacement ref rushes out here. Evil drags Yota up, winds up and runs, to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!! Yota survives and the fans are thunderous! Evil is at a loss for words, but he slashes his throat! He vows to end it for real, and he reels Yota in. EVERYTHING IS- Yota flips through!? And HEADBUTTS!! The fans fire up as Yota reels Evil in for a fireman’s carry! 70 CROSS!! Cover, TWO!!

Evil survives the swinging spinebuster and the House cheers! Yota drags himself to a corner, drags himself up with the ropes, and roars as he takes aim! Evil rises, but Yujiro distracts! Dick runs in, but gets a V-TRIGGER! The ref sees Dick, but misses the LOW BLOW! Then Evil RAMS Yota into the ref! That’s the second ref this match! Narita gets his push-up bar! The others set Yota up, but here comes SHINGO TAKAGI! The Rampaging Dragon has seen enough, and he’s still pissed from yesterday as it is! He dodges Narita to PUMPING BOMBER! Kanemaru & Yujiro kick Takagi, double whip, but he DOUBLE PUMPING BOMBERS!!

Jack gets in, but he gets ELBOW, JAB and YUKON LARIAT! Evil runs up but Takagi SWATS Evil’s lariat to JAB! Then feed to Hiromu’s SUPERKICK! Hiromu & Takagi set Evil up for Bushi’s BLACK MIST!! Evil can’t see, the PUMPING BOMBER turns him inside-out!! The fans are thunderous as LIJ helps Yota up! Red Shoes hurries out here, and Yota aims at Evil! GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, Yota wins!!!

Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

The House of Torture ran out of tricks, and now there is light at the end of the tournament! Will Yota do LIJ proud and bring home the Cup?

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

One down, one to go. Yota Tsuji has made it through, now we see who joins him in the finals! Will the Cold Skull or Fierce Warrior be the one that steps closer to former glory?

The bell rings and the fans duel between “GO-TO-O!” and “SA-NA-DA!” Red Shoes measures the levels, and it seems to slightly favor Goto. Goto and Sanada circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Goto gets some leverage to put Sanada against ropes, but he lets off slowly. Goto pats Sanada on the shoulders and the fans cheer. The two reset, circle again, and tie up again. It’s another deadlock, but again Goto finds a way to put Sanada on ropes. Sanada turns things around, lets off slowly, and also pats Goto on the shoulders. The fans applaud and the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, then move to a clinch.

They fight for control, Sanada starts pushing Goto towards a corner but Goto slips away. They feel things out, knuckle lock again, then break. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, Goto waistlocks, but Sanada wrenches to wristlock. Goto rolls, wrenches, wristlocks, but Sanada spins, wrenches, only for Goto to roll! Goto gets a leg to trip Sanada up, and he has a toehold. Sanada fights back with a chinlock but Goto pulls on the leg. Sanada uses his free leg to hook Goto into an ARMBAR, but Goto clasps hands! Goto moves around, pops free, then headlocks. Sanada fights up, Goto grinds the headlock, but Sanada throws body shots.

Sanada powers up and out, but Goto runs him over! The fans rally as things speed up, and Goto counters hip toss with hip toss! Goto runs and he clotheslines Sanada up and out! The fans fire up and Goto slides out after Sanada. Goto stomps Sanada, drags him up, then CLUBS him on the neck! Sanada staggers, Goto CHOPS him, then kicks him, then CLUBS him! Goto whips but Sanada stops himself from hitting railing! Goto runs in but Sanada drop toeholds him into the railing! Goto goes down in a heap, but Sanada opens the gate. Sanada brings Goto through, then to the crowd! PILEDRIVER to the bare floor!

The fans are stunned but Red Shoes reprimands. Sanada leaves Goto behind and slides into the ring. The fans rally for Goto as the ring count begins. Goto crawls at 5 of 20, finds his way to ringside at 10, but still hobbles and crawls. He stands at 17 to slide in! The fans cheer, but Sanada stomps Goto. Sanada drags Goto up, CLUBS him on the neck, then brings him back up to CLUB him again. Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! Sanada eggs Goto on so Goto CHOPS again! Goto whips, Sanada reverses to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Sanada keeps cool and sits Goto up into a chinlock. Goto endures and the fans rally again.

Goto kicks forward, reaches out, but Sanada cranks on the hold! Goto keeps fighting, and has the ROPEBREAK! Sanada lets go cleanly, but then he stomps Goto while he’s down. Sanada then stands Goto up to CLUB him on the neck. Goto CHOPS in return! And CHOPS, and CHOPS, and has Sanada in a corner! Goto CHOPS again, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, but Sanada BOOTS first! Sanada runs, Goto follows, and Goto LARIATS Sanada down! The fans fire up and Goto rises, clutching his neck. Goto stands Sanada up to fire off forearms, then he whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, MURAMASA!

Sanada wobbles, into the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while Goto grits his teeth. Goto drags Sanada up, fireman’s carries, but Sanada fights free! Sanada waistlocks, Goto throws elbows, then runs. Sanada hurdles, hurdles, and DROPKICKS! Goto tumbles out of the ring, Sanada PLANCHAS him down! The fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans get louder and Sanada appreciates it. Sanada then goes back for Goto, brings him up and puts him in the ring. Sanada fireman’s carries but Goto throws elbows! Sanada turns around into Goto’s fireman’s carry, but then slips out into the dragon sleeper!

But Goto arm-drags free! Sanada kicks low, runs, but Goto follows! Sanada dodges this time, runs again, but Goto still follows! Sanada sidesteps this time, but Goto holds ropes to avoid the hurdle! Goto runs in, but Sanada fireman’s carries! T K O! Cover, TWO! Goto is still in this and the fans rally up! Sanada goes up the corner, ROUNDING BODY- NO, Sanada has to land out as Goto moves! Sanada runs in, but into the fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! They cheer on “GO-TO-O!” but the “SA-NA-DA!” chants are still there. Red Shoes checks them both, and both men slowly rise.

The two crawl towards each other, and Goto fires a forearm! Sanada shakes his head, eggs Goto on, so Goto throws another! Goto eggs Sanada on, so Sanada fires a forearm! Goto fires a forearm back, and the two stand. Sanada UPPERCUTS! Goto comes back to forearm! Sanada UPPERCUTS again, and Goto drops back to a knee! The fans rally, Goto stands again, and he forearms! UPPERCUT, forearm, repeat! Goto growls, fires a flurry of forearms, and he ROCKS Sanada! Sanada drops to his hand and knees but Goto powers up! Goto KICKS but Sanada blocks! Goto fires more forearms, then waistlocks, but Sandaa fights free!

Sanada runs, but Goto fireman’s carries! And he throws Sanada into the dragon sleeper! But Sanada turns around and suplexes, for MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Sanada roars as he rises up, and he aims from a corner. Sanada wants Goto to get up, and Goto sits up, into the SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then dragon sleepers, for the SKULL END!! Goto endures, flails, reaches out, but he’s caught in the body scissors! Goto fights around but he’s fading! The fans rally, Goto’s hand drops! Sanada lets him go to then climb! ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Goto survives but Sanada storms around. Sanada drags Goto up, reels him in and clinches, but Goto slips free to shove Sanada away! Sanada forearms, ROLLING- HEADBUTT from Goto! The fans fire up and duel, and Goto drags Sanada up. But Sanada breaks free! Goto HEADBUTTS again! Sanada falls back down and Goto steadies himself. Goto roars, the fans are with him, and Goto sits Sanada up. Goto runs to PENALTY KICK! Shoutout to Shibata and the fans fire up more! Sanada grits his teeth as he sits back up but Goto takes aim! BUZZSAW! And then he hauls Sanada up to dragon sleeper! G T- BACKSLIDE COUNTER! TWO!!!

Sanada and Goto hurry up, Sanada dodges to O’Conner BRIDGE!! TWO?!!? Goto escapes and shocks everyone! Sanada resets, runs in, SHINING WIZARD!! The fans are thunderous as Sanada roars and drags Goto back up! Clinch and DEAD- NO, Goto slips around to ripcord and fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Sanada survives but Goto is all fired up! The fans are thunderous as Goto dragon sleepers for G T R!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Don’t call it a comeback, Goto’s been here for years! Sanada’s hopes of being IWGP World Heavyweight Champion again have been delayed, how long must he wait for another chance?

As for Goto, he’s going back to the New Japan Cup Finals for the first time since 2016, and his seventh overall! But before he can get the mic to speak, Yota makes his way back out here. Yota steps into the ring and he gets the mic first. Yota tells Goto, “In order to open the door to a new era, we must do this.” The fans applaud that, and Yota continues by asking Goto, “Are you ready?!” Yota drops the mic at Goto’s feet, and Goto stands up to speak. “I also have something I want to show you. As a three-time New Japan Cup Champion, I will show you my strength.” The fans like the sound of that!

The Fierce Warrior stares down with Gene Blast, a true generational showdown on the horizon! Will Goto return not juts to former glory, but finally ascend to top of NJPW? Or will Yota make it LIJ VS LIJ for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?


My Thoughts:

A great semifinal round for this tournament, with quite a surprising main event. Sanada VS Goto was great stuff, and while I felt Sanada wasn’t winning the Cup, I didn’t think he’d be out this round. Yota VS Evil was rather creatively put together, too. I did not think the House would get so involved that at first it was a No Contest but then they restart under a ringside ban. Takagi making sure Yota won was good stuff, too, maybe we can get Takagi VS Evil for the NEVER Openweight Championship if they’re not gonna circle back to more Shota Umino VS House of Torture stuff.

Goto VS Yota is going to be great stuff, and Goto is clearly a top utility guy. He’s had so many New Japan Cup finals appearances, certainly among the most ever, but I don’t think he gets a fourth Cup win against Yota, one of the “new era Musketeers” that NJPW clearly loves. Yota VS Naito is definitely the title match for Sakura Genesis.

My Score: 8.9/10


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